The future of America’s Triple Crown hero Justify has been confirmed with Ashford Stud moving definitively to secure him as a replacement for their late great sire Scat Daddy.
Justify’s history making run singled him out as the hottest stallion prospect in the world this year and as a ‘must have’ stallion for Ashford Stud.
“After much deliberation with all the partners, we’ve decided to accept Ashford’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.”
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 $US3,798,000 (RMB26,000,000).
Justify’s meteoric rise to prominence began with a flashy 9 ½-length romp in his February 18th unveiling at Santa Anita. After just two starts—both wins—he powered to a three-length win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Justify broke the “Curse of Apollo”, when winning the G1 Kentucky Derby by 2 ½ lengths on May 5, becoming the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without starting as a two-year-old. He captured the G1 Preakness Stakes (19th May) when absorbing immense pressure to lead throughout at a mist covered Pimlico Racecourse. Two weeks later, under brilliant blue skies in New York, the chestnut became just the 13th Triple Crown winner in history, and only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner ever, when defying all comers with his 1 ¾-length triumph in the G1 Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 9. His heroics playing out in front of a global audience and promoting the sport to a new audience in China.
“We look forward to standing our second Triple Crown winner in the last three years,” said M.V. Magnier of Ashford Stud, which also stands 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
“We have found our replacement for his great sire Scat Daddy.”
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