Inglewood Stud’s promising second season sire War Decree will stand the 2023 season for an increased fee of $5,500 +GST, up from $4,500 in 2022.

The fee rise comes off the back of a very promising season for the son of War Front, with his ever-consistent daughter Val di Zoldo winning the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and proving herself among the best of a stellar generation of fillies.

“We’re very pleased with the start War Decree has made, he’s leaving plenty of winners and to have a filly the calibre of Val di Zoldo was great,” Inglewood Stud’s Gus Wigley said.

“She beat home Pennyweka when she won the Group Two and when she ran a good fourth in the Soliloquy Stakes, she was beaten by Legarto, Romancing The Moon and Prowess, who all went on to win Group Ones, so she certainly kept good company through the season.”

War Decree currently sits third on the New Zealand Second Season Sires’ list behind outstanding stallions Almanzor and Satono Aladdin, with the best strike rate of the group, his 32 starters having already produced 14 winners. His leading progeny also includes the exciting dual winner Collateral Damage, quality stayer Opawa Jack and the black-type performed speedster Miss Take.

His stock again proved well sought after at the yearling sales this year, averaging $55,500 at Karaka and selling up to $150,000, while he also proved a hit at last November’s Ready To Run Sale selling up to $165,000.

“We dropped his service fee from $6,500 to $4,500 when Covid hit and kept it at that to help with some of the uncertainties in the New Zealand racing industry, but with the good start he has made to his stud career, we do feel he deserves a small increase for coming season.”

The fee announcement comes after a memorable weekend for the stud with Wigley’s great grandfather Ken Austin inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Austin founded Inglewood Stud in 1938 and played an important role in the development of New Zealand breeding and racing during the 1940 and 50s.