Singapore Star War Affair (NZ) Dead-Heats in Saas Fee Stakes

In his first start for almost eight months, superstar Karaka graduate War Affair (NZ) (O’Reilly) made a triumphant comeback with a dead-heat win in Sunday’s S$200,000 Listed Saas Fee Stakes (1400m) at Kranji.

The 2014 Horse of the Year had already won 15 races and more than 40 times his purchase price at the 2012 Premier Sale. But Sunday’s win endeared himself to Singaporean racing fans even further, scripting a fairytale return to racing following a wind operation.

Ridden by Danny Beasley for expat New Zealand trainer Bruce Marsh, War Affair was behind a wall of horses at the 300-metre mark but burst through a gap and charged forward to challenge for the lead. Storm Troops (Orpen) came with a sustained run down the outside and tried to run the champ down. War Affair fought back and the two horses were unable to be separated at the finish line.

“It was a sensational win,” Marsh said. “I don’t know what happened when he was so far back. The way the track rode today, he had to be really good to win first-up.

“But he’s a horse with such a great heart. What is even more amazing is this horse has been through so much behind the scenes and to see him win like that, it’s just sensational.”

War Affair has now had 25 starts for 16 wins, five placings and more than S$2.96 million in prize-money.

A son of the Kris S mare Kristique, War Affair was bred by Trelawney Stud and was offered as part of Trelawney’s draft at the 2012 Premier Sale at Karaka. He was bought there by Te Akau’s David Ellis for $70,000.

War Affair’s victories include all three legs of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge – the Singapore 3YO Sprint, Singapore 3YO Classic and Singapore Guineas. He has also won the Listed Kranji Mile, Raffles Cup, Lion City Cup, Patron’s Bowl, Golden Horseshoe, Stewards’ Cup and Juvenile Championship. He was voted Singapore’s Champion Two-Year-Old, Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Four-Year-Old and Miler.