[3][4][5] The female family traces to noted broodmare Best in Show, whose other descendants include El Gran Senor, Try My Best, Jazil, Rags to Riches and Redoute's Choice.

Instead he was privately purchased by Norman Williamson, a former National Hunt jockey, who relocated the colt to Ireland for his early training.

Williamson intended to resell the colt at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up in April 2018 but ultimately sent him to the Arqana sales in France instead.

[7] Despite the loss, Casse stepped the colt up in class by entering him in the Grade I Summer Stakes on September 16, also on the turf at Woodbine.

[8] War of Will then finished fourth in the Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland and fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs.

[10] War of Will made his three-year-old debut on January 19 in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana.

Displaying a high cruising speed, he settled into third place during the first half mile then gradually pulled away to win by four lengths.

"[12] The points earned by War of Will in the Lecomte and Risen Star moved him temporarily into first place on the 2019 Road to the Kentucky Derby.

"[13] In the 2019 Kentucky Derby, War of Will drew post position one, a tactical disadvantage in a large field due to the risk of getting trapped on the rail by heavy traffic.

The two horses made contact, knocking War of Will sideways and into Long Range Toddy, who in turn bumped with Bodexpress and Country House.

However, he tired during the stretch drive and finished eighth, subsequently elevated to seventh when Maximum Security was disqualified for interference.

[15][16][17][18] Despite bearing the brunt of the interference, Casse had told Gaffalione not to join the objection to the incident, since the colt would still not finish in the money.

"[19] Neither Maximum Security nor Country House, who was awarded the Derby after the disqualification, attended the 2019 Preakness Stakes on May 18, leaving the race wide open.

War of Will again drew the rail but this time Gaffalione eased him from the starting gate and was able to get the colt to relax in fourth place behind the early pace set by Warrior's Charge.

Gaffalione urged War of Will through and the colt took command of the race, then withstood the late run of Everfast to win by 1+1⁄4 lengths.

Casse explained that the colt had a mild case of stringhalt, which causes the occasional involuntary upward flexion of a hind leg.

"[24][25] War of Will made his final start of the year in the 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park on November 2.

He faced several of the top turf horses in the country, including Group/Graded I stakes winners Without Parole, Raging Bull, Next Shares and River Boyne.

[28] War of Will made his next start in the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland, rescheduled to July 10, where he was the third betting choice behind Raging Bull and Without Parole.

He rated in third position until mid-stretch, then kicked late and inched ahead of Parlor to win by a nose, with Raging Bull a neck back in third.