Domination.
For a 17 race span during his prime, that was the modus operandi of War Machine.
Over a full career, there are obviously other horses who have put up better numbers. Smart Money and A Bus come immediately to mind. Those fellows had the good fortune to stay at or near their peak for several seasons. They have forged their legacy by performing at high levels over a long period of time.
Conversely, War Machine was a shooting star who blazed across the sky in brief but undeniable glory. While he set the racing scene aflame in 2006, everyone watched and everyone noticed.
By Curule out of Mystic Lady, his breeding was less than epic. Perhaps this was the reason that he was barely noticed at auction as a 2yo. He flew under the radar and was purchased for a paltry $15,000 by Otsego Farms.
The AR compiled by our trainers looked solid, but did not portend what was to come. It correctly showed a preference for dirt and significant stamina. However, it did not accurately reflect his unearthly speed, jaw-dropping acceleration, and enormous heart.
He started his 2yo season well winning his first two races, the second of which was the Dubai Juvenile. He then went 6 races without a win.
War Machine finished the season with 4 consecutive victories, including the Breeders Cup Juvenile. It was at this point that his aura of invincibility began to formulate. He had thrown down the gauntlet for next season.
Two more victories to begin his 3yo campaign, which made 6 wins in a row, left little doubt as to who was Kentucky Derby favorite in 2006. It also caused consternation in our stable as to which Dubai race to enter, the UAE Derby for 3yo's, or the Dubai World Cup?
We felt we could win the UAE Derby against the other 3yo's, but when push came to shove, we made the decision to go for the big win at the World Cup. It was a tough decision because we knew that field would be full of quality older horses, including the reigning World Cup champ, Troll Tower.
It turned out to be a small field of six horses. In addition to Troll Tower, Photo-Finish legends Sobriety, and Southern Charm, were among the participants. War Machine won the race in track record time. and picked up his biggest purse of $3,600,000.
Later, a victory at the Wood Memorial made it 8 straight victories and he was set up for the American Triple Crown.
War Machine then went on to become the first and only Photo-Finish horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, collecting a $1,000,000 bonus in addition to the $1,800,000 in purses.
Another victory at the Queen's Plate Stakes made it 12 consecutive victories.
Several weeks earlier, I had offered a bounty of $250,000 for the first horse to win a race in which War Machine was entered. Fields in his races were becoming smaller as other owners came to the realization that he could not be beaten. In order to ensure entries, I offered the additional bonus as an incentive.
That bonus was paid to Bally Doyle when Dancing Delaware upset War Machine in the Swaps Stakes. It was the only loss suffered by War Machine in 2006 and snapped his winning streak at 12.
He then finished the season with victories at the Visa Travers Stakes, the Super Derby XX, and the Breeders Cup Classic. War Machine also won his first race in 2007.
That made 16 victories in 17 races. Big races. Dubai Juvenile, Breeders Cup Juvenile, Dubai World Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Breeders Cup Classic. A sweep of those races will probably never happen again in Photo-Finish.
War Machine is currently at stud at Otsego Farms. He is limited to 5 pairings per year, one of which is reserved by Otsego Farms. He is booked for 2009 and currently has 2 openings remaining for 2010.
For a 17 race span during his prime, that was the modus operandi of War Machine.
Over a full career, there are obviously other horses who have put up better numbers. Smart Money and A Bus come immediately to mind. Those fellows had the good fortune to stay at or near their peak for several seasons. They have forged their legacy by performing at high levels over a long period of time.
Conversely, War Machine was a shooting star who blazed across the sky in brief but undeniable glory. While he set the racing scene aflame in 2006, everyone watched and everyone noticed.
By Curule out of Mystic Lady, his breeding was less than epic. Perhaps this was the reason that he was barely noticed at auction as a 2yo. He flew under the radar and was purchased for a paltry $15,000 by Otsego Farms.
The AR compiled by our trainers looked solid, but did not portend what was to come. It correctly showed a preference for dirt and significant stamina. However, it did not accurately reflect his unearthly speed, jaw-dropping acceleration, and enormous heart.
He started his 2yo season well winning his first two races, the second of which was the Dubai Juvenile. He then went 6 races without a win.
War Machine finished the season with 4 consecutive victories, including the Breeders Cup Juvenile. It was at this point that his aura of invincibility began to formulate. He had thrown down the gauntlet for next season.
Two more victories to begin his 3yo campaign, which made 6 wins in a row, left little doubt as to who was Kentucky Derby favorite in 2006. It also caused consternation in our stable as to which Dubai race to enter, the UAE Derby for 3yo's, or the Dubai World Cup?
We felt we could win the UAE Derby against the other 3yo's, but when push came to shove, we made the decision to go for the big win at the World Cup. It was a tough decision because we knew that field would be full of quality older horses, including the reigning World Cup champ, Troll Tower.
It turned out to be a small field of six horses. In addition to Troll Tower, Photo-Finish legends Sobriety, and Southern Charm, were among the participants. War Machine won the race in track record time. and picked up his biggest purse of $3,600,000.
Later, a victory at the Wood Memorial made it 8 straight victories and he was set up for the American Triple Crown.
War Machine then went on to become the first and only Photo-Finish horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, collecting a $1,000,000 bonus in addition to the $1,800,000 in purses.
Another victory at the Queen's Plate Stakes made it 12 consecutive victories.
Several weeks earlier, I had offered a bounty of $250,000 for the first horse to win a race in which War Machine was entered. Fields in his races were becoming smaller as other owners came to the realization that he could not be beaten. In order to ensure entries, I offered the additional bonus as an incentive.
That bonus was paid to Bally Doyle when Dancing Delaware upset War Machine in the Swaps Stakes. It was the only loss suffered by War Machine in 2006 and snapped his winning streak at 12.
He then finished the season with victories at the Visa Travers Stakes, the Super Derby XX, and the Breeders Cup Classic. War Machine also won his first race in 2007.
That made 16 victories in 17 races. Big races. Dubai Juvenile, Breeders Cup Juvenile, Dubai World Cup, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Breeders Cup Classic. A sweep of those races will probably never happen again in Photo-Finish.
War Machine is currently at stud at Otsego Farms. He is limited to 5 pairings per year, one of which is reserved by Otsego Farms. He is booked for 2009 and currently has 2 openings remaining for 2010.
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