Written by Paul Vettise
War Decree (USA) hasn’t had any trouble in winning over breeders since his arrival at Inglewood Stud. He will serve both quality and quantity in his first season at the Kaiapoi, Canterbury, farm of Gus and Bianca Wigley.
The well-performed son of the influential War Front (USA) from an outstanding female family, he was a Group 2 winner and a multiple Group 1 placegetter during his nine-start career.
“He’s got a really good book and he’ll serve close to 100 mares, which suits us perfectly,” Gus Wigley said. “South Island breeders have really got behind the horse and he’ll be getting plenty of stakes-winning mares.
Watch: War Decree winning the Group 2 Goodwood Vintage Stakes
“South Island breeders have really got behind the horse and he’ll be getting plenty of stakes-winning mares.” - Gus Wigley.
“It’s probably a step up from what Zacinto had and I think it’s testament to the facts that we’ve been around a bit longer and we’ve got a proven track record.”
Group 1 producer Zacinto (GB) stood at Inglewood before he relocated north to Valachi Downs property of Kevin Hickman, who also shares in the ownership of War Decree.
“We’ve still got 25 per cent of Zacinto and we’ll be sending eight mares to him,” Wigley said. “We have a great relationship with Kevin and he’s sending 16 mares to War Decree, he’s really putting his full weight behind him.
Gus Wigley and co- owner of War Decree, Kevin Hickman
Chase ends successfully
“We’ve spent 18 months chasing this horse. After he won the Vintage S., we kept a close eye on him and we made an approach to Coolmore last year, but at that point they were keen to race him on.
“Then, when Kevin and I were having discussions about Zacinto moving we were able to do a deal on War Decree. I probably wouldn’t have sent Zacinto north unless we got this bloke.
War Decree at the recent Inglewood open day
“He was an expensive horse, but we wanted one that all South Island commercial breeders could send mares to. We wanted a horse with a similar profile to Zacinto and we got one.
“He’s Group 1 quality from a world class female family and by War Front.” – Gus Wigley.
“He’s Group 1 quality from a world class female family and by War Front. He’s been here a month and hasn’t turned a hair.
“We had 120 people to an open day recently and that’s the first time we paraded him. He walked out and it could have been two people, he’s got a great nature and he’s serving like a dream. We’re thrilled to bits.”
Gus welcoming guests to the recent open day where War Decree was very well received
Growing band of mares
Wigley said they had built up their broodmare band to 25 following a number of Australian purchases.
“Among the mares we’re sending to War Decree are Green Roller, who’s by Flying Spur and was in foal to Dundeel so we got a nice filly, and Parmalove.
“She’s by Snitzel and a half-sister to a couple of stakes winners and in foal to Capitalist.”
Other stud-owned mares to be covered by include Dolly’s Wig (NZ) (Snippetson), a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Mighty Lucky (Casino Prince), and her stakes winning daughter Zigwig (Zacinto (GB).
“Another mare we bought is Giggly, that was appropriate with the Wigleys buying Giggly.” – Gus Wigley.
“Another mare we bought is Giggly, that was appropriate with the Wigleys buying Giggly. She’s in foal to So You Think and a half-sister to Crack Me Up. He was a Listed winner and he’s since gone on to win the Villiers.
“He’ll also be serving the dam of Fifty Fifty, one of the stars in Hong Kong; Shylo who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Dorabella; the dam of stakes winner Batman; Skite who is the dam of Waldorf, My Chino is a young black type mare and Steel, a stakes producing mare who is the dam of last season’s good 2-year-old She’s A Thief so he’s getting a really good range of mares.”
