War of Will, winner of the 2019 Preakness Stakes and currently ranked 10th on the North American second-crop sire list, will relocate from Kentucky to stand the 2026 season at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, the farm announced Sunday.
The 9-year-old son of War Front relocates from Claiborne Farm, where he stood the 2025 season for $15,000.
“We are honored to have this opportunity with Gary [Barber] on another stallion and thrilled to have Claiborne dipping a toe into the New York market,” said Rockridge President Lere Visagie.
Barber campaigned War of Will throughout his career, which featured five wins in 18 starts and earnings of $1,881,803. In addition to his Preakness victory, War of Will won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes on turf in 2020 at Keeneland Race Course and the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes in 2019 at Fair Grounds on the dirt.
“I am very much looking forward to supporting War of Will in the lucrative New York breeding program,” Barber said. “With the new Belmont facility coming online with three surfaces, I know War of Will can provide many opportunities for my mares and stable to become a large part of the New York program.”
Claiborne will continue to be a shareholder in War of Will’s new syndicate at Rockridge. Claiborne President Walker Hancock is optimistic War of Will will be successful in the Empire State.
“War of Will is classic winner on dirt and a Grade 1 winner on turf,” he said. “The new facility at Belmont will provide a continuation of the success we have already seen on all three surfaces, and we are very excited to be a part of this new chapter.”
War of Will finished 2024 as North America’s ninth leading freshman sire with progeny earnings of $1,571,212. He sired 19 winners in his first season, including Grade 3 winner Will Then, stakes-placed $163,500-earner She’s Got Will, $112,291-earner Curahee and $102,500-earner Will Not Be Swayed. He’s sired the earners of $2,451,343 in 2025 through Sunday, including recent Grade 3 Matron winner Final Accord.
War of Will “Early Bird” Stud Fee Announced
Rockridge Stud has announced today that the “early bird” 2026 stud fee for War of Will (War Front – Vision of Clarity by Sadler’s Wells) will be $5,000 LFSN. His fee is subject to change after the Breeders’ Cup.
For information on seasons, please contact Erin Robinson (859) 421-7531, [email protected].
