It is with great sadness that Yarradale Stud said goodbye to War Chant (USA) on Thursday. The 27-year-old stallion succumbed to the infirmities of old age at the Gidgegannup nursery that he had called home for over a decade.
War Chant (Danzig) began stud duties at Robert Clay’s Three Chimney’s Farm in Kentucky in 2001 and enjoyed a career that saw him shuttle on occasion to Chile and Western Australia.
In 2011, after prolonged negotiations, the late Ron Sayers managed to secure the Southern-hemisphere breeding rights for War Chant for the next three years. Ron was like a dog with a bone and was thrilled when he had finally sealed the deal, even going as far as meeting him at 5am when he stepped off the plane to commence a ‘love affair’ with Yarradale Stud.
In 2014, War Chant (USA) relocated permanently to WA following the breeding season. He has sired 46 stakes winners world-wide with 12 of those based in Australia.
In his later years War Chant (USA) had been used to educate young staff in the breeding barn. His professional manner when covering mares meant that he was the perfect teacher for the younger generation who were keen to perfect their handling skills.
Yarradale Stud Manager Davy Hanratty said he owes a lot to the old warrior having companioned the horse on multiple flights and trips across the Nullabor for his initial shuttles to and from Kentucky.
“He had the 3Ps – Performance, Pedigree & Physique,” Hanratty fondly recalled. “His movie star good looks hit you first.
“He was a quirky devil at times but taught me to be a better horseman. We are very lucky he has built a terrific reputation as a broodmare sire, and rest assured, we haven’t seen the last of his name in the record books.”
