3 Win Saturday - War of Silence Superb

Producing a very good effort, War Of Silence (3 c Snitzel – Silent Sedition, by War Chant) recorded victory on debut in the $25,000 Vale Tony Dennis Maiden 1200 metres on Saturday at Riccarton.

A good-looking chestnut colt, War Of Silence had finished second when trialling on 5 August at Te Rapa, running home solidly after being caught three-wide, and Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson, who was aboard in the trial, retained the mount.

He deservedly opened $3.00 fixed odds favourite and rated a top three chance.

Away cleanly over the sprint trip, War Of Silence travelled comfortably on speed, despite close competition on either side, lengthened to an advantage inside the 300m and lifted when challenged to secure the win.

“We really liked him early on, but he went off the boil a little bit, so we put him out and he’s come back nice and strong this time,” Bosson said.

“He’s still learning his trade, so he’s changing legs and getting a bit unbalanced, but he’s got ability.

“He was wandering a little bit, but when asked he was up for the challenge.”

On Soft5 footing, War Of Silence ran 1200 metres in 1:10.2, scoring by a head, and paid $2.00 & $1.50 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a good debut win, especially because it’s never easy having your first start down the chute at Riccarton, after going around a bend in his trials,” said Mark Walker, training partner with Sam Bergerson.

“He looked vulnerable when challenged hard over the last 100m, but he really knuckled down and we know how hard Opie (Bosson) is to beat in a tight finish.

“I do think he’ll be better next start, when he’s going 1400 metres, around a bend, and he’ll most likely head towards the Guineas Trial for three-year-olds on 27 September at Riccarton.

“He’s certainly a nice colt, has the best nature, and a lovely laidback sort of fellow. Dave (Ellis) bought him at the Sydney Easter Sale, and he’s definitely on a path towards fulfilling his nomination in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) down there in November.”

On course, Bergerson said: “I think he’ll learn a lot from that and Opie gave him a good, positive, ride. He got a bit keen early, but then settled nicely, probably gawked a bit when in front and when the horse came up and challenged, he really kicked.

“He looks a really nice colt that we can hopefully get to the 2000 Guineas. It’s step one done now and we can build from here.

“Part of the reason we got him down here nice and early was to get him settled in, attack the better tracks, and he’s a laidback horse so we put the blinkers on first-up.”

Owned by the Te Akau Silence Is Golden Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), War Of Silence was purchased by David Ellis MNZM for $700,000, from the Arrowfield Stud draft, at the 2024 Inglis Easter Sale.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He is a very powerfully built colt and liked so much by Arrowfield Stud that they are taking shares in him, as well.

“He is beautifully conformed, well balanced, and has a very relaxed nature and attitude.

“He’s from a top farm that has produced plenty of colts that have gone to stud and when it comes to a combination of looks and pedigree then this colt has it all.”

War Of Silence is by four-time Champion Sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), out of Group 1 William Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition (War Chant), who also included four Group Three wins from 1400m – 1800m in her sparkling career.

Silent Sedition also displayed her versatility by finishing runner-up in both the Group 1 South Australian Oaks (2000m) and the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m).

Dam sire War Chant (USA) won five of his seven starts, including the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile (1600m), and stood at stud in Kentucky, Chile, and Australia.

War Chant was noted to be leggier than other Danzig stallions and athletically renowned for showing a good turn of foot.  He sired 48 stakes' winners and Silent Sedition is one of his most notable offspring.

Grand-dam Fiorentina is by very good sire Dubai Destination (Kingmambo) and third dam Porto Roca is by internationally acclaimed sire Barathea (Sadler’s Wells), who shows up in a lot of quality dam lines.

War Of Silence carries a Danzig (Northern Dancer) cross through the sire line of Snitzel and the sire line of Silent Sedition.

War Of Silence was strapped by Assistant Trainer Hunter Durrant. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz