The Bjorn Baker trained seven year-old War Eternal was long overdue for a stakes win after racking up Group placings as a three year-old and he got the job done at Doomben on Saturday when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Bernborough Handicap (1600m).
The son of Pierro led home a stable quinella when proving too good for progressive import Our Queen (IRE), a daughter of leading European sire Night of Thunder.
He enjoyed a great ride from Zac Purton to surge through on the inside and win by three-quarters of a length.
“He’s been a remarkable horse for the stable,” Baker’s stable representative Jim Clarke said.
“He’s been around for a long time now and he’s nudging A$1 million in prize-money.
“It’s a well-deserved first stakes win, because he’s hit the crossbar a few times now. He ran really well at Hawkesbury the other day and he enjoyed getting his toe in the ground here today.
“It never hurts when you book a jockey like Zac on board. I don’t think he’s ridden too many times for the stable before, but I’m sure Bjorn will get a great kick out of it.
“It’s a great group of owners, and Carl Holt has been a big supporter of the stable for some time now. The horse has come back from injuries, so I’m really pleased for the whole group to get this win here today.
“I don’t remember the last time Bjorn put a last-start winner in the paddock, so I’d say he’ll find another race for him.”
War Eternal has now had 38 starts for six wins, eight placings with over $900,000 in prizemoney.
Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay War Eternal was purchased by Baker out their 2020 Karaka Book 1 draft for $160,000.
War Eternal is the best of three winners from five foals to race from Fastnet Rock mare Aleria, a placed daughter of stakes-winner Impressive Eagle from the family of Group I winner Eagle Way.
Aleria has since produced unraced three-year-old Circus Maximus gelding Irish Master, followed by two-year-old Per Incanto colt Stoneflight, who sold to Sanxiong Gao for $750,000 at the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka in November.
Aleria has a weanling filly by Almanzor (Fr) and was served by Cambridge’s well-credentialled young shuttle stallion Chaldean (GB) last spring.
War Eternal is the 41st stakes-winner for Golden Slipper winning sire Pierro, who is exceptional value this spring at a fee of $22,000.
