Justify’s breeding rights sold to Coolmore? WinStar says no

Global Thoroughbred breeding leader Coolmore, which stands Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at stud, could add another such great to its arsenal.

According to ESPN reporter Darren Rovell, Coolmore is paying "in the $60 million range" for breeding rights to Triple Crown hopeful Justify, who on June 9 will look to complete his sweep in the 2018 Belmont Stakes.

Rovell also broke the news in 2015 about Zayat Stables' deal with Coolmore. The New York Times reported the story Thursday as well.

In a statement, Justify co-owner WinStar Farm said that "we have had numerous inquiries into the breeding rights of Justify, including from Coolmore. Nothing is finalized at this time and won't be for the foreseeable future. We are focused on the Belmont Stakes (G1) and his racing career at this time."

For WinStar to potentially part with Justify would be a curious move, as the Kentucky-based operation was all along assumed to stand the son of Scat Daddy upon retirement. WinStar, the breeding and racing operation of billionaire Kenny Troutt, does sell some of its top prospects to remain profitable.

But its potentially legendary horse? Consider this a surprising move. Rovell suggested Justify could, as American Pharoah does, shuttle to other Coolmore operations for the Southern Hemisphere's breeding season, raising his value in their eyes.

Justify, who's trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, is 5-for-5 during an already historic racing career, as he became the first horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes having not started a race at age 2.

Should the deal go through, this looks like Pharoah 2.0. That horse, of course, was able to finish out his 3-year-old season with races after the Triple Crown series, winning the 2015 Breeders' Cup Classic in his career finale on track.

Coolmore also stood rising star sire Scat Daddy until his sudden death in 2015. According to the ESPN report, his four 2018 Kentucky Derby starters -- which also included $3 million colt Mendelssohn, Flameaway and Combatant -- is the most by a single sire in the race in 95 years.

Knowing it won't stand a Triple Crown winner regardless of the Belmont's results could further incentivize WinStar to run Audible, the fast-closing third-place finisher in the Derby. Elliott Walden, WinStar's president and CEO, said he would discuss it with trainer Todd Pletcher following a Friday morning workout in New York.

"I think he'd [Audible] be big competition," Walden said. "But I think it's Justify's race to lose."

For now, eight horses are probable for the Belmont.

China Horse Club purchased Justify for $500,000 as a yearling at Keeneland before partnership with WinStar to campaign the late developing, but highly talented chestnut colt. Out of the Ghostzapper mare Stage Magic, Justify's large ownership group also includes Head of Plains Partners and Starlight Racing.