Justify, the 13th winner of America’s famed Triple Crown, has been retired to stud.
The undefeated son of ill-fated US sire Scat Daddy was purchased at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for the China Horse Club & Maverick Racing for US$500,000 by their buying team that consists of Cambridge bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, the China Horse Club’s racing and bloodstock manager, along with Mick Flanagan and Tom Ryan of SF Bloodstock.
“Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he is just not responding quick enough for a fall campaign,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “We all wanted to see Justify run again, but ultimately it is my responsibility to make sure he is perfect. Without 60-90 days, I can't be definite.”
The three-year-old, who won four Group One races and nearly US$3.8 million in stakes, could join the stallion ranks of global giant Coolmore.
“There is a possible sale to Coolmore in place, but that won’t be finalised until a later date,” WinStar Farm’s Elliott Walden said.