It has been a top week in France for Claiborne-sired runners with WAR FRONT’s Ancient Rome the latest stakes winner in the country after a victory in Wednesday’s Prix des Chenes (G3).
Racing over a mile at Longchamp, the juvenile owned by the Coolmore partners and Westerberg was looking for his third straight victory and went straight to the front out of the gate in search of it. Another horse was eager for the same thing and Ancient Rome concede the pacemaking duties to him, settling into in second.
The race got more competitive as they crossed into the final quarter mile and Ancient Rome was sent after the leader, who was under a heavy ride. It didn’t take the U.S.-bred long to secure command and ultimately a two-length victory under Mickael Barzalona.
Trained by Andre Fabre, the colt was also bred by the Coolmore partners out of the multiple Group 3 winning and Group 1-placed Sadler’s Wells mare Gagnoa. That breeding makes him a full brother to WAR FRONT’s Grade 3 winner Etoile and a half-brother to stakes-placed Galatia.
Gagnoa is a three-quarter sister to Epsom Derby (G1) winner Pour Moi, Group 3 winner Dawn Patrol, and stakes winner Kissed. Kissed is also the dam of WAR FRONT’s stakes-placed son Leo Minor.
WAR FRONT has proven to be a successful sire with mares by Sadler’s Wells and his sons. Ancient Rome is the sixth group winner from 28 runners out of Sadler’s Wells daughters with nine stakes performers, led by three Grade 1 winners and two other Grade 2 winners.