Coolmore’s undefeated USA superstar JUSTIFY (USA) kicked off his stud career in
perfect fashion in California on Sunday when his first runner named
TAHOMA cruised to victory at
Santa Anita in a dominant debut victory.
TAHOMA "flew" home at SANTA ANITA to be the First North American Runner / Winner for JUSTIFY
Tahoma is a
chestnut colt who bears a sharp resemblance to his unbeaten sire
Justify.
Two-year-old colt Tahoma was sent out favourite for the 4½ f (900m) 2YO maiden in a field of eight debutantes, after he had posted a bullet four-furlong (800m) trackwork Monday morning at Santa Anita in 47 seconds.
Tahoma proved that was work no fluke as he powered clear of his rivals to win with authority over 900m by a
widening 2 lengths in 53.89.
Tahoma was caught four-wide – on speed throughout.
Coming around the home turn he went up to put his nose in front. The son of
Justify remained well in control down the straight and ran like a colt who will appreciate more ground, when scoring by an easy two lengths over runner-up Salta with a further 2¼ lengths back to Eagles Landing in third place.
The jockey set him an
impossible position to win, let alone on debut.
From the time the gates crashed back,
Tahoma was disputing for the lead in an insane speed battle where the fractions on the race were
21.66 (400m) and 44.44 (800m). The rider kept at
Tahoma and stayed out 4-deep throughout under jockey Juan Hernandez.
Here in Australia serious questions would be asked of the rider’s intent by our stewards.
Despite this,
Tahoma blitzed his rivals in a dominant display of power, similar to that shown by his own sire Justify.
The rider said:
“The inside horses were fast, I sat outside and tried to keep up with them. At the quarter-pole (400m), he changed leads and picked it up and passed those horses. He broke sharp. He did it himself.”
Stable foreman Leandro Mora said:
“We had high expectations and we feel this colt has a lot of upside, we do not over-train a horse for these types of races. This colt has a lot of ability and I feel really confident about his future. We’re proud to win with the very first starter for Justify, very proud.”
Out of a Rahy mare named Madera Dancer, who was winless in three Southern California starts,
Tahoma was purchased for
$160,000 as a Keeneland September Yearling.
Tahoma is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Legends of War and is the fifth winner from good producing mare Madera Dancer (Rahy), whose next dam is by Danehill Dancer.
Tahoma debuted
four years and three days after his sire
JUSTIFY (USA) won the
2018 Preakness Stakes for trainer Bob Baffert.
JUSTIFY - Winning the Group 1 Preakness - one of 4 Gr1 Wins in his unbeaten 6 Starts
JUSTIFY winning the Kentucky Derby
JUSTIFY winning the Gr1 Belmont Stakes
JUSTIFY winning the Gr1 Santa Anita Derby
The son of Scat Daddy also scored Group 1 Wins that year in the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, finishing his brief career with a
6-for-6 record.
Justify also had his
first European runner at The Curragh with two-year-old filly
Aspen Grove running a fifth in a big competitive 6f (1200m) fillies maiden.
She had flashing lights on her after being restrained back to the tail of the field early stages in a race dominated by the leaders. Her work over the final 100m was super and hit the line strongly as if she is crying out for 1400m.
For
JUSTIFY (USA) to have a winner over the sharp
900m was not something you would expect to see, as he has a
typical 2000m runners’ type.
He was not a 2yo and his progeny looked similar at the sales so
to have a 900m winner on debut is a result not to be underestimated.
JUSTIFY - Unbeaten now off to a perfect start as a sire
Justify has returned to
Coolmore Stud this season at a fee of
$55,000 which is great value since the sire stands at
$100,000 USD in Kentucky.
The first Australian bred JUSTIFY (USA) two-year-olds will race here next season which commences the October long weekend.
His stock has been popular at the yearling sales this year selling for up to $1million with 45 Yearlings selling through the sale ring for an Average of $350,000 and a Median of $150,000
Dynamic Syndications have purchased 3 yearlings by JUSTIFY (USA) based upon his brilliant racetrack performances, his conformation and type. He has thrown excellent size, strength, bone and muscle into his progeny here in Australia.
They were:
JUSTIFY x PICKIN’ TIME Chestnut Filly with RICHARD & WILLIAM FREEDMAN (SOLD OUT)
JUSTIFY x SAVPINSKI Chestnut Colt with CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE (SOLD OUT)
JUSTIFY x TINGU (FR) Chestnut Filly with CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE (ON SALE NOW)
We invite you to join us in racing this fantastic filly by JUSTIFY (USA) from the French bred mare TINGU (FR). She will be trained by leading Victorian stable CIARON MAHER RACING – Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
TINGU (FR) was a winner at 1800m and descends from one of the best female families in the European Stud Book.
It’s a family made famous by Coolmore Stud as one of their foundation families that keeps being bred up to superior stallions.
You don’t just buy into fillies bred like this – You Invest!
5% Shares are $13,300 inc GST and ALL COSTS to 30 June 22.
Join the strength of the Dynamic CIARON MAHER Stakes in a filly offering immense upside and outstanding residual value.
To find out more click the link:
