Cover image courtesy of Waikato Stud
Warmonger’s (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) 10.4l demolition in Saturday’s G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm was not only visually stunning but also marked an incredible milestone for the young talents Bevan Smith of Bevan Smith Bloodstock and Kelly Van Dyk of Prima Park.
They sourced the yearling Warmonger at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale together, before Van Dyk prepared the son of War Decree (USA) for the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
Warmonger (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
The 3-year-old gelding has been a fortuitous horse for those in his life. The Thoroughbred Report chatted with Smith and Van Dyk following Warmonger’s Derby triumph.
Derby winner
The G1 Queensland Derby was the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Warmonger’s ninth career start. He debuted with a third-place finish at Seymour before breaking his maiden at Mornington. Warmonger hinted at his talent in the spring with an impressive performance at Flemington during Cup Week in the Listed TAB Trophy over 1800 metres.
Returning in March, the son of War Decree (USA) was unplaced at Pakenham, before placing in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas. He then finished fifth in the G3 Chairmans and an unlucky second in the G1 South Australian Derby behind the talented Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun).
War Decree (USA) | Standing at Inglewood Stud
Warmonger headed to Queensland, and despite his good form, his task wasn’t made easy when he drew barrier 18. This possibly affected his odds, and punters sent Warmonger out as an $11 chance, with G1 Australian Oaks victress Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) and the last-start G3 Rough Habit Plate victor Tannhauser (Dundeel {NZ}) stealing the limelight.
Navy King (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) took control of the 2400-metre feature, with Craig Williams in the saddle, allowing Warmonger, ridden by Blake Shinn, to settle in the run. Navy King’s tearaway antics took luck out of the equation for Shinn, who ranged up three-wide aboard Warmonger and set the son of War Decree into overdrive. Within strides, Warmonger turned the Derby into a one-act affair as he flew down the vast Eagle Farm straight.
Early days
Returning to the early days of Warmonger’s life, the gelding was bred by Kevin Hickman ONZM. He was the second foal from the Savabeel mare Princess Sapphire, who won twice over distances ranging from 1400 to 1550 metres. Her half-brother, Merion (NZ), a son of O’Reilly (NZ), won three races, including two Listed company victories, and was placed in the G2 Queensland Guineas and the G2 Tulloch S.
“He (Warmonger) was the second foal from the Savabeel mare Princess Sapphire, who won twice over distances ranging from 1400 to 1550 metres.”
In her first season, Princess Sapphire visited Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (Fr), producing the talented Blue Solitaire (NZ), who was placed in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. For her second mating, Princess Sapphire was paired with Inglewood Stud’s War Decree (USA), a son of the outstanding War Front (USA), resulting in the birth of Warmonger.
Princess Sapphire then headed to U S Navy Flag (USA), another son of War Front, who now stands at The Oaks Stud. She foaled a filly, now named Princess Solitaire (NZ), who is currently unraced. Unfortunately, Princess Sapphire passed away in 2022.
Love at first sight
Warmonger was presented by Valachi Downs at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in Book 2. When Bevan Smith first laid eyes on the striking black colt, he knew his close friend Kelly Van Dyk needed to see the son of War Decree. Van Dyk quickly agreed, and both knew Lot 1003 was the horse they needed to buy.
Smith and Van Dyk succeeded in their mission, bringing the son of War Decree home for NZ$75,000.
Bevan Smith | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“The horse (Warmonger) was purchased out of Book 2 at Karaka. I always go around, do all the work at Karaka, try and see as many horses as possible, especially those trade colts," Smith told TTR AusNZ. "He was one that stood out; he was a beautiful black horse, and there was actually a fair bit of Savabeel about him. I really rated War Decree, as well. I’ve been a fan of his, and he leaves really nice types.
“I did all the groundwork, and I said to Kelly (Van Dyk), ‘I think I found one here in Book 2. Just one horse, if you’re going to buy at this sale, buy this!’ Kelly went and saw him, and we were both on the same page.”
Van Dyk added, “He’s just a standout on type. The minute we saw him, we fell in love with him. We actually thought that he might be too expensive. Just on his looks, you saw him, and he had a presence straight away. Warmonger is out of a Savabeel mare, and I also thought he really looks like a Savabeel.
Kelly Van Dyk
“But at the time, I think the stallion (War Decree) was in his third season and was probably a bit under the radar. He wasn’t that fashionable, for want of a better word, at the time. However, Warmonger was just incredibly athletic, he had such a good shoulder on him, a fantastic head, he just caught your eye and had such a presence.”
Van Dyk’s opinion justified
Van Dyk took Warmonger home to her Prima Park facility and began preparing the colt for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale.
“He was an attractive horse and moved so well. You could just see him as a 2-year-old and what he was going to grow into. He did that tenfold and was just a beautiful horse through the preparation.”
Although Van Dyk admitted Warmonger’s coltish antics nearly saw him receiving the ultimate chop during his preparation, she explained, “To be honest, he was actually a bit of a handful as a colt. We did toy with the idea of gelding him, but we decided we were getting quite close to the breeze-ups, so we left him a colt.”
“He (Warmonger) was an attractive horse and moved so well. You could just see him as a 2-year-old and what he was going to grow into. He did that tenfold and was just a beautiful horse through the preparation.” - Kelly Van Dyk
Warmonger breezed-up on a Soft 5 track in a time of 11.40 seconds. Van Dyk noted, “He was quite green in his breeze-up, and honestly, I thought he’d make a little bit more money than what he did (NZ$165,000).”
The son of War Decree was purchased by Shane Kennedy, who co-trained his half-sister Blue Solitaire, who had placed in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas just a few days before his sale.
“It was a little bit frustrating for us because we knew how good the horse was. Warmonger showed us a lot of ability from day one. He was just so switched on, and he wanted to get on with the job. He knew what he was there to do.
Warmonger (NZ) | Image courtesy of Grant Peters, Trackside Photography
“But it’s hard when you’re selling horses and trying to convey to potential buyers how good this horse is. A lot of them don’t really believe you and think you’re just trying to sell the horse. So, it was very frustrating because the thought of whether you should be letting them go pops up. However, that’s our job; we sell horses. Ultimately, we want to sell with a 100 per cent clearance rate at every sale we present at.
“That’s our goal, and of course, we’re trying to make money as we go. I was surprised also because his half-sister had just placed in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas a few days before the sale. So, her trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong bought the horse; they knew the family.
“It was possibly the stallion factor as well. At the time, War Decree was still a bit unknown. People were probably a little bit on the fence about him, with him not being proven at that top level just yet.”
“It was possibly the stallion factor as well. At the time, War Decree was still a bit unknown. People were probably a little bit on the fence about him, with him not being proven at that top level just yet.” - Kelly Van Dyk
Despite those frustrations, Van Dyk has gained more satisfaction from Warmonger proving her initial assessment right.
“We were happy with what we got, and that’s always what we want to do—try and leave something in it for the next person. Warmonger went down to Christchurch and won a trial very impressively, and then OTI Racing came calling and purchased the horse.
“Our main goal is to be selling racehorses and ultimately Group winners, and now we’ve achieved that. It’s very satisfying for Warmonger, and it’s easy to say now, but he really did have all the attributes we were looking for in a racehorse, and now he’s proved that formula.
“That’s probably the most satisfying part. His form leading into the Queensland Derby was so good. Warmonger had been unlucky; I really thought he should have won the South Australian Derby—he just got so far back. Yesterday (Saturday), Blake Shinn took luck out of the equation, went for it, and it paid off.
“He’s been consistent the whole way through. Full credit to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team for the job they’ve done with him.”
Young guns
Smith and Van Dyk grew up in the industry, with their families deeply involved in the racing and breeding sectors in New Zealand. However, these young guns are only a few years into forging their own identities in the game.
Smith, a third-generation horseman, launched Bevan Smith Bloodstock and has enjoyed plenty of success despite the company being in its infancy. Warmonger, however, is the first horse signed under his banner to win a Group 1 in Australia.
Like Smith, Van Dyk is a third-generation horsewoman and has taken control of her family’s Prima Park. The operation has sold horses such as Hong Kong superstar Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook) and Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park), who was crowned Horse of the Year in Singapore.
Warmonger also represents the first Australian Group 1 winner for Van Dyk sold under her Prima Park banner.
Prima Park
Fittingly, the two are good friends, both happy and pleased to be involved in each other's success. “Kelly and her team at Prima Park are just awesome,” Smith shared. “Her parents, Leighton and Louise, and the whole team work really hard. It’s a family business.
“We’re mates, but they are like family to me as well. We’re very close, and I’m over the moon for the hard work that Kelly and the family put in. Results like this matter and really mean a lot. They work hard day in and day out. I go to the sales, walk around, and find the horses, but they’re the ones getting up at 4 a.m., picking up crap, and working the horses—all the hard work.”
Warmonger has been a profitable horse for all involved, Smith explained. “Everyone’s won from him. He came off a low service fee, and we paid pretty decent money off that fee. Then we sold him and made a profit. So, we’re happy.
“Kelly and her team at Prima Park are just awesome... Her parents, Leighton and Louise, and the whole team work really hard. It’s a family business.” - Bevan Smith
“Then Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong sold him to OTI, and now OTI has won a Derby with Warmonger. Everyone has won along the way, which is just a good story.
“For me, with my business just three or four years in, to get a Group 1 winner is huge. I don’t have a big budget, and pinhooking is an especially big part of my business. I do a lot of work for Prima Park and Kilgravin Lodge as well. We want to make money from pinhooking, but at the end of the day, the objective is to try and buy racehorses.
“We want to buy horses that win races and create a reputation for us. Hopefully, people who come to the Ready To Run Sale to buy horses from us can acknowledge we buy nice horses that go on and get results on the track."
Warmonger (NZ)
Smith is gearing up to try and find his next Warmonger, Chrysaor (Better Than Ready), or Coin Toss (Flying Artie). “I'll go back over to New Zealand for the weanling sale. We’ll look for a couple there and see what we can find.”
Van Dyk added that the initial price of NZ$75,000 and the latter price of NZ$165,000 is a positive reminder that you don’t have to spend millions to buy a Group 1 winner. “It’s really important to note these horses are buyable at any level in the market. They don’t always have to be really expensive horses.”
Speaking about the future, Van Dyk said, “We’ve bought quite a few yearlings this year that we will prepare for the Ready To Run Sale. I haven’t had a chance to invest in the weanling market so far, but hopefully we may be able to pick up one or two at the Inglis Great Southern Sale.
“Van Dyk added that the initial price of NZ$75,000 and the latter price of NZ$165,000 is a positive reminder that you don’t have to spend millions to buy a Group 1 winner.”
“It’s really special for Bevan and me to have success together. Hopefully, it is not the last time.”
