Rick Williams, general manager of The Oaks Stud in Cambridge, New Zealand, confirmed to TDN AusNZ that The Oaks Stud has purchased U S Navy Flag (War Front) outright from Coolmore Stud.
“The deal was finalised on Friday, so we own him now. The timing has been perfect for us, and I hope it is a coup for the New Zealand industry,” said Williams.
U S Navy Flag's first Southern Hemisphere crop yielded 98 foals, 21 of which have hit the track resulting in six winners of seven races, four stakes performers and one stakes winner.
From U S Navy Flag's Northern Hemisphere crops, he has produced Ocean Vision (Ire), a four-time winner, including the Listed Prix de la Vallée d'Auge at Deauville and the Listed Prix de Pontarme at Longchamp. Ocean Vision was also placed in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly, and Love Reigns (Ire) won two Listed races before running fourth in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot.
Williams is pleased with the performance and feedback from the first crop of U S Navy Flag.
“Most of my social friends are horse trainers, so I get pretty accurate feedback on what they think of a horse, whether good or bad. “He seems to be throwing horses similar to himself. They cope with racing and keep improving. U S Navy Flag is not a big horse, but he's one of the best-moving horses you'll ever see.”
“We couldn't be happier right now. I'm more excited about the spring because many trainers I've spoken to have had trial winners by the stallion that haven't raced yet, and they've put them away for the spring. He's got plenty of unraced stock with high opinions on them to come through,” Williams told TDN AusNZ.
“Whether he'll be a top-notch stallion, time will tell, but the way he's going, he's not a bad stallion. Let's hope the success continues, and it's a good investment for us and the New Zealand breeding industry.”
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