A sense of pride, not regret, is the overarching emotion when Kiwi trainer Anna Furlong watches Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) step onto the racetrack.
Furlong and her then-training partner Shane Kennedy paid NZ$165,000 for the son of War Decree at the 2022 NZB Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, almost 12 months after he was sold as a yearling for NZ$75,000.
It was obvious the youngster had ability but an offer from OTI Racing following his dominant win in an Ashburton trial meant his time in their stable was short-lived.
Rather than view the Queensland Derby hero and Cups contender as the one that got away, the Riccarton-based horsewoman is just happy to have played a small part in his career.
Warmonger returns to the track for his first run of the spring in Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Furlong will be cheering him on from afar.
“He just had that look of class about him at the sale,” Furlong said.
“He was a great type, excellent mover and a good stride.
“But we bought him on behalf of a client, so he was probably always going to be a seller.
“It’s still a little bit bittersweet because he’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse but it’s great for the South Island – he’s by a South Island stallion, bred by Kevin Hickman, prepped for the ready to run sale from the South Island and trained by a South Island trainer.
“We were all crowded in the pub when he won the Derby and there was plenty of yelling and yahooing, it was very exciting.
“It’s great for us to have played a very small part in his education and we know that he’s got a very bright future.
“It would be pretty mind-blowing if he can (win a Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup).”
