Triple Crown Winner Justify Sires First B-T Winner
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Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
Statuette wins the Airlie Stud Stakes at The Curragh
The undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify added to his fast start at stud with his first black-type stakes winner, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Statuette, June 26 in Ireland.
Statuette had become Justify's second winner and first winner abroad when she captured her debut by three lengths May 28 at Navan Racecourse. Making her second start in the Airlie Stud Stakes (G2), the 2-year-old filly won the six-furlong event by three-quarters of a length at The Curragh under jockey Ryan Moore for owners Coolmore, Westerberg, and Merriebelle Stables.
Bred in Kentucky by Merriebelle Stables and Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt, Statuette is a daughter of the multiple group 1-winning Pivotal mare Immortal Verse . Statuette is a half sister to last year's Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) winner Tenebrism (Caravaggio ), who placed fourth in the June 17 Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
After boasting a 2-year-old average of $338,927 at the sales this year, Justify has been represented by four juvenile winners in addition to Statuette, including the stakes-placed colt Tahoma . The 2018 Horse of the Year captivated the public with his remarkable run through the Triple Crown for owners China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm.
Justify stands at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., for an advertised fee of $100,000, live foal stands and nurses.