Irish War Cry Retired to Northview

Classic-placed 'TDN Rising Star' Irish War Cry (Curlin–Irish Sovereign, by Polish Numbers) has been retired and will enter stud at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Md., for the 2019 season.

The Isabelle de Tomaso homebred, a three-time graded winner and runner-up in the 2017 GI Belmont S., retires with a record of 13-5-2-0 and earnings of $1,257,060.

The breeding rights to the New Jersey-bred were sold to a group including Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura, Glen Hill Farm's Craig Bernick, SF Bloodstock, Colts Neck Stables, the China Horse Club, Bobby Flay, Sol Kumin and Vincent Viola prior to last year's GI Kentucky Derby.

“Irish War Cry is by leading sire Curlin, won the [GII] Holy Bull, [GII] Wood Memorial and [GIII] Pimlico Special and was second in the Belmont, earning more than $1 million,” said John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale Farm, home to two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. “It was always the intent of our partners to stand Irish War Cry in Kentucky. With the addition of champion Good Magic (Champion Good Magic Retired to Hill 'n' Dale) and the strong track record of making stallions at Northview, we decided this was the ideal situation for Irish War Cry. They pursued the horse aggressively and made a great pitch for the horse. His credentials as a top class racehorse and great physical specimen make him a standout in the vibrant Maryland market.”

Irish War Cry is one of six winners from as many starters for the Polish Numbers mare Irish Sovereign. Irish War Cry is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Irish Strait (English Channel) and the stakes-placed Irish Politics (Political Force).

“Irish War Cry is such a gorgeous and talented horse,” trainer Graham Motion. “I have not had a horse since Animal Kingdom who has shown the kind of raw ability that he has. Unlucky not to win a Grade I, he came so close in the Belmont S., but did win the Wood Memorial, which previously had been a Grade I. I look forward to training his offspring.”