Sadly for the Australian Breeding Industry,
JUSTIFY is considered “too valuable” to risk being returned to Australia as a shuttle sire this spring, however there is tremendous interest in the
undefeated USA Triple Crown winner JUSTIFY now as a first crop sire in the Northern Hemisphere.
Justify - USA Leading First Crop Sire
Keeping us here in Australia enthralled and in awe of his deeds over the first 4 months of the season in the USA,
JUSTIFY was at it again over the weekend, siring his
twelfth (12th) Individual Winner who was highly impressive on debut on Saturday in the US and will have his first crop of Australian runners head to the track this season.
A dashing grey colt named Champions Dream scored a commanding two and a quarter length win in the 7f (1400m) Special Weights Maiden at Saratoga, earning him a “TDN Rising Star” status for his performance. Champions Dream is the third (3rd) progeny of JUSTIFY to achieve this status, joining STATUETTE and JUST CINDY in earning the moniker.
Champions Dream was bought for $425,000 at the OBS March 2YO Sale and has obviously got plenty of talent. The first winner for Group 2 winning Tapit mare Dancinginherdreams.
Champions Dream is the 12th first crop winner for Justify.
Justify has made a fast start with his Northern Hemisphere runners which include four stakes-winners – Statuette, Aspen Grove, Just Cindy and Justa Warrior plus Stakes Placed runner-up Tahoma and Dame Kiri finished 4th in a Stakes Race.
Justify will have his second crop of yearlings head for the Australasian sales in 2023, and his third crop foals are arriving in Australia this spring.
JUSTIFY is the Leading First Crop Sire in North America by each of these criteria: 3 Group Winners; 4 Stakes Winners; 5 Stakes Horses; 6 Stakes Performers; and has smashed through the $1m USD in Earnings. Whilst 12 Individual Winners / 34 runners and (35.3%) and 14 Placegetters has him in second position by Winners to Sharp Aztec 17/46 (36.9%).
Our industry considered his progeny would take time and likely be 3yo’s over 1600m, then the fact that JUSTIFY is off to a flying start with his Northern Hemisphere juveniles is exciting for the sire and Coolmore Stud who stand him.