Coolmore confirms Justify withdrawal from shuttle sire ranks for 2024
Coolmore sire Justify will not return to Australia this year but a southern hemisphere influence will still shape his 2024 book in the United States.
The undefeated US Triple Crown winner, who will be inducted into the US Hall of Fame later this year, will remain at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
From 63 southern hemisphere runners, Justify has sired 32 winners, including five at Stakes level.
He stood the 2023 Australian breeding season at $77,000 but Coolmore announced a $US200,000 fee in America for 2024 when it confirmed its Ashford Stud roster in October.
Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Storm Boy has emerged as Justify’s banner horse in this part of the world with four victories this season for co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
The colt, who started favourite to win the Golden Slipper before finishing in the minor placing, will eventually join Coolmore’s stallion ranks after figuring in a high-profile sale after his Magic Millions triumph.
Justify’s daughter Learning To Fly will be chasing a Group 1 win on Saturday when she contests the $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville while Air Assault will push his South Australia Derby claims in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at the same meeting.
Despite Justify’s absence next season, Coolmore has already planned to have the stallion serve a select book of mares to southern hemisphere time in America.
Bren O’Brien
Group 1 winner Booker, whose yearling filly by I Am Invincible sold to John Stewart’s Resolute Racing for $3 million at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, is one of four mares recently sent to America.
Group 2 winner Savanna Amour, Foxwedge’s sister Casuarina Forest and Astern’s sister Tangier were also on the same cargo flight.
On the global stage, Justify has sired 139 winners from 290 starters, with 28 of them stakes winners, including the Coolmore-owned City Of Troy.
Unbeaten City Of Troy, winner of the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last year, has been anointed racing’s next superstar.
City Of Troy is a pronounced favourite to win the 2000 Guineas next week.
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