Coolmore finalizing deal to stand Triple Crown winner Justify
The long-anticipated deal between the owners of Justify and Coolmore America regarding the Triple Crown winner’s stallion career is being finalized, WinStar Farm announced Friday.
“After much deliberation with all the partners, we’ve decided to accept Coolmore’s offer to stand Justify,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “As you can imagine, this is a bittersweet moment for all of us connected to this special horse who gave us the ultimate thrill of a lifetime. We believe strongly in Justify as a stallion and the ownership group has retained breeding rights. We look forward to supporting him at Ashford Stud.”
"It is such a privilege to be around greatness, and to have the best son of the
much missed Scat Daddy standing here is fantastic," said Coolmore manager Dermot Ryan. "His sons have made an
immediate impact at stud, and Justify has all the right credentials to continue
Scat Daddy’s legacy. He is just breathtaking to look at, an outstanding
individual and fantastic mover, he’s got everything you look for in a stallion."
Campaigned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC, and Starlight Racing and trained by Bob Baffert, Justify, a son of the late Scat Daddy, left an indelible mark on racing in his historic 3-year-old season, winning all six career starts, banking $3,798,000.
Justify’s rise began with a flashy 9 ½-length romp in his Feb. 18 unveiling at Santa Anita. After just two starts — both wins — he powered to a three-length win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Then came the Triple Crown series.
Justify broke the “Curse of Apollo” winning the Kentucky Derby by 2 ½ lengths on May 5, becoming the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby without starting as a 2-year-old. He then captured the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in wire-to-wire fashion on May 19 and became the 13th Triple Crown winner in history by winning the Belmont Stakes.
Justify retired as the first undefeated Triple Crown winner since Seattle Slew.
“We look forward to standing our second Triple Crown winner at Ashford Stud,” said M.V. Magnier, whose Coolmore also stands 2015 champion American Pharoah. “Let’s hope he proves as good as his sire Scat Daddy.”