Mori Goes to $1.2M for Curlin Half Brother to Justify

Glennwood Farm sold Hip 60, a Curlin   colt it bred and raised, for $1.2 million during the opening session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Sept. 12.

Japanese trainer Hideyuki Mori bought the colt, who is a half brother to 2018 American Triple Crown winner Justify   (Scat Daddy).

Speaking through translator Kate Hunter, Mori said that he believes the colt will be a good fit overseas.

"I really liked the way it moved. Physically it looks like it will fit Japan well based on its smaller size and its movement," Mori said.

When asked if he considered Justify's popularity with Japanese buyers the previous year when deciding to purchase the colt, Mori said that was not a factor.

"I didn't realize that. I just liked the horse. I usually look at the horse first and if the page fits, that's nice."

John Gunther, who owns and runs Glennwood with his daughter Tanya, bred the colt out of the stakes-placed Ghostzapper   mare Stage Magic . Besides Justify, the mare also has produced grade 2-placed, grade 3 winner The Lieutenant  (Street Sense  ).

"He was a lovely colt. He was a late foal and has a lot of growing to do," Gunther said. "There would have been more interest if he were a little more developed. Two months from now he will be a fantastic-looking colt.

"He's a great mover, with a tremendous attitude. We raced him at the farm and we said, 'This is a racehorse.' I would have liked to have seen him race in America, so that part of it is pretty sad. I wasn't going to let him go for less. That's what the market is all about."

Justify was a $700,000 purchase by China Horse Club and Maverick Racing from the Glennwood consignment to the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Justify's first crop of 2-year-olds hit the track this year and have already racked up over $1M including Airlie Stud Stakes (G2) winner Statuette , Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (G3) victor Aspen Grove , and Schuylerville Stakes (G3) winner Just Cindy .