Desert War (horse)
Encyclopedia
Desert War was an Australian Thoroughbred
racehorse gelding
that won six Group one
(G1) races including the Epsom Handicap
(twice), Chipping Norton Stakes
, LKS Mackinnon Stakes
, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes
and Ranvet Stakes
.
He is a big brown gelding weighing over 600 kg, that has a star and a white sock on his near (left) hind leg. He was sired by Desert King
who won the Irish Derby Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas and was the sire of 13 stakeswinners with 34 stakeswins including Makybe Diva
(GB). Desert King was inbred to Northern Dancer
in the third generation (3m x 4f). Desert War’s dam was High Heels (by Canny Lad) who is the dam of nine named horses, but Desert War is her only stakes winner.
, he was a multiple group races
winner in Sydney and Melbourne. His greatest achievement was winning consecutive Epsom Handicaps in 2004 and 2005, before finishing a close second to Sydney horse Racing to Win in 2006.
His final race was the 2008 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before he retired. During his racing career he had 45 starts for 12 wins, 2 seconds and 9 thirds for $3,046,610.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse gelding
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
that won six Group one
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
(G1) races including the Epsom Handicap
Epsom Handicap
The Epsom Handicap is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held over 1,600 metres at Randwick Racecourse. It is one of the major races of the Sydney Spring Carnival. Many great milers have won the race, including Chatham, Gunsynd, and Super Impose, who was also a dual winner of the...
(twice), Chipping Norton Stakes
Chipping Norton Stakes
The Chipping Norton Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race run at weight for age, over a distance of 1600 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in February or March.-Distance:* 1925 - 1972 held over 10 furlongs The Chipping Norton Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred...
, LKS Mackinnon Stakes
LKS MacKinnon Stakes
From 1869 to 1936 the LKS Mackinnon Stakes was known as the Melbourne Stakes.The LKS Mackinnon Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 2000 metre Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions. The race is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the Saturday before...
, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes
AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes
The AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run at Weight for Age, over a distance of 2,000 metres in April or May at Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
and Ranvet Stakes
Ranvet Stakes
The Ranvet Stakes is a 2000 metre weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds and over, run at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney Australia, early in March each year...
.
He is a big brown gelding weighing over 600 kg, that has a star and a white sock on his near (left) hind leg. He was sired by Desert King
Desert King
Desert King is a Thoroughbred racehorse. Desert King won the Irish Derby Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas and was the sire of 13 stakeswinners with 34 stakeswins including Makybe Diva ....
who won the Irish Derby Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas and was the sire of 13 stakeswinners with 34 stakeswins including Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva is a British-bred, Australian-trained Thoroughbred who became the first racehorse to win the famed Melbourne Cup on three occasions: 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2005, she also won the Cox Plate. Makybe Diva is the highest stakes-earner in Australasian horse racing history, with winnings...
(GB). Desert King was inbred to Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
in the third generation (3m x 4f). Desert War’s dam was High Heels (by Canny Lad) who is the dam of nine named horses, but Desert War is her only stakes winner.
Racing record
Trained by Gai WaterhouseGai Waterhouse
Gai Waterhouse is a Scottish-born, Australian resident horse trainer, businesswoman and a former actress-Career:...
, he was a multiple group races
Group races
Group races are the highest standard of Thoroughbred horseraces in Australia. The Australian Pattern Committee recommends to the Australian Racing Board which races shall be designated as Group races...
winner in Sydney and Melbourne. His greatest achievement was winning consecutive Epsom Handicaps in 2004 and 2005, before finishing a close second to Sydney horse Racing to Win in 2006.
His final race was the 2008 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before he retired. During his racing career he had 45 starts for 12 wins, 2 seconds and 9 thirds for $3,046,610.