J U S T I F Y T H E 13 T H T R I P L E C R O W N W I N N E R ♕
Champion 3YO & Horse of The Year 2018
2015 Stage Magic by Scat Daddy
144th Kentucky Derby (replay)
143rd Preakness Stakes (replay)
150th Belmont Stakes (replay)
The story of JUSTIFY, the 13th Triple Crown winner, began at Glennwood. Long before Justify was born, the idea of creating a special horse through carefully woven bloodlines was just a glimmer of hope and potential in the mind of his breeder, John Gunther. Considered as far back as the Autumn of 2012, the mating plan between Stage Magic and Scat Daddy was etched in stone toward the end of 2013, in advance of the 2014 breeding season. Stage Magic visited Scat Daddy on April 20, 2014 and was announced pregnant a couple of weeks later. Fast forward through approximately 11 months of gestation, and Stage Magic decided it was time to unleash baby Justify on the world. Breaking water at 11:17pm, Stage Magic gave birth to a healthy 128lb chestnut colt at 11:30pm on March 28, 2015, the same day that two Glennwood grads won prestigious races on opposite sides of the world. March 28th was not only the birthday of Justify but Dubai World Cup night in the UAE and Florida Derby day in the US. Two horses raised at Glennwood struck big that day: Tamarkuz won the G2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai and Materiality won the G1 Florida Derby, marking himself a serious contender for the 2015 Kentucky Derby. Coincidence or fate that Justify was born on this significant day for Glennwood? Even at that time, we believed it was fate.
Justify cavorted around the fields of Glennwood for the next several months of 2015/6, growing bigger and stronger and displaying his dominance at every turn. In the Spring/Summer of 2016, his abundant energy and capacity for work were channeled by the structure of sales preparation toward developing his physique. Handling the exercise program with relative ease, 15 Stage Magic (as he was known back then) began to blossom into a younger version of the impressive physical specimen he would later become. Consigned by Glennwood as Hip 50 in Book 1 of the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, we watched him take the sale scene in stride as he showed himself to prospective buyers. Rather than seem at first daunted or at some point bored of the sale process, Justify seemed to actually enjoy the buzz of activity and continuous scrutiny. Purchased by WinStar/CHC at one bid above our reserve, Justify's racing career would then be molded under the care of these connections and ultimately trainer Bob Baffert once he reached the race track. Please find below his Triple Crown journey through our eyes, the eyes of his very proud breeders.
143rd Preakness Stakes (replay)
150th Belmont Stakes (replay)
The story of JUSTIFY, the 13th Triple Crown winner, began at Glennwood. Long before Justify was born, the idea of creating a special horse through carefully woven bloodlines was just a glimmer of hope and potential in the mind of his breeder, John Gunther. Considered as far back as the Autumn of 2012, the mating plan between Stage Magic and Scat Daddy was etched in stone toward the end of 2013, in advance of the 2014 breeding season. Stage Magic visited Scat Daddy on April 20, 2014 and was announced pregnant a couple of weeks later. Fast forward through approximately 11 months of gestation, and Stage Magic decided it was time to unleash baby Justify on the world. Breaking water at 11:17pm, Stage Magic gave birth to a healthy 128lb chestnut colt at 11:30pm on March 28, 2015, the same day that two Glennwood grads won prestigious races on opposite sides of the world. March 28th was not only the birthday of Justify but Dubai World Cup night in the UAE and Florida Derby day in the US. Two horses raised at Glennwood struck big that day: Tamarkuz won the G2 Godolphin Mile in Dubai and Materiality won the G1 Florida Derby, marking himself a serious contender for the 2015 Kentucky Derby. Coincidence or fate that Justify was born on this significant day for Glennwood? Even at that time, we believed it was fate.
Justify cavorted around the fields of Glennwood for the next several months of 2015/6, growing bigger and stronger and displaying his dominance at every turn. In the Spring/Summer of 2016, his abundant energy and capacity for work were channeled by the structure of sales preparation toward developing his physique. Handling the exercise program with relative ease, 15 Stage Magic (as he was known back then) began to blossom into a younger version of the impressive physical specimen he would later become. Consigned by Glennwood as Hip 50 in Book 1 of the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, we watched him take the sale scene in stride as he showed himself to prospective buyers. Rather than seem at first daunted or at some point bored of the sale process, Justify seemed to actually enjoy the buzz of activity and continuous scrutiny. Purchased by WinStar/CHC at one bid above our reserve, Justify's racing career would then be molded under the care of these connections and ultimately trainer Bob Baffert once he reached the race track. Please find below his Triple Crown journey through our eyes, the eyes of his very proud breeders.
The Road to the Triple Crown
Justify did things that many horsemen thought could not be done. He broke a curse, set new records and defied boundaries every step of the way. His racing prowess is something to marvel at in wonder for years to come, with the knowledge we may never witness a Triple Crown winning journey of this nature possibly ever again. Producing another horse of this calibre will certainly be a daunting challenge for Glennwood, but Justify epitomizes what we strive to produce and we aren't done yet.
Justify debuted a winner on February 18, 2018 as a 3 year old. He entered the Kentucky Derby off of only three lifetime starts: maiden, allowance, and the G1 Santa Anita Derby (replay). These three starts weren't ordinary performances though, they were scintillating victories and Justify would enter the starting gates for the Kentucky Derby as the undefeated favorite. The first half mile of the Derby was run in a smoking 45.77 with Justify a neck off the pacesetter. Many spectators could be heard worrying out loud that he had gone too fast early, but we were silent with confidence in his ability and the belief that the clean break and early good position was what he needed on this spectacularly muddy first Saturday in May. Justify took the lead rounding the far turn and offered no sign of letting up down the stretch. Juvenile Champion Good Magic made a valiant effort to reach Justify, but the sound of those chasing hoofbeats and a nudge from jockey Mike Smith was all that it took to inspire Justify to lengthen his stride once again and draw away to win the Kentucky Derby in a final time of 2:04.20. The crowd roared, history had been made, and we were at once stunned and joyous beyond words. Justify had done it, he had won the Kentucky Derby (replay)!
The possibility of a Triple Crown now loomed large, as it always does in the days after the Derby. Justify had broken the Apollo curse by being the first horse since 1882 (136 years) to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a two year old. His victory in the Derby was dominant, who could beat him in the Preakness? Was he unstoppable? These seemed to be the thoughts and questions echoed by many in the immediate aftermath of the Derby. That is until a bruised foot kept him from returning to regular post-race training for a crucial few days within that two week window between the Derby and Preakness and sent the media buzzing. The uncertainty that evolved from this setback bolstered the confidence of the competition and so the likes of Derby 2nd Good Magic opted to face Justify again in the Preakness Stakes (replay). The race was hotly contested from the outset as Good Magic sought to expose potential vulnerability in the Derby winner. Hopes were swiftly dashed, disappearing like a fast-sinking sun at sunset, as Justify's white blaze was seen flashing to the lead amid the Pimlico fog and slop. Justify, both talented and gritty, put Good Magic away in the stretch and refused to yield to the late runs of his other foes. It was later revealed that Justify had also jumped a puddle near the finish line, the first time past the grandstands. At full tilt this leap would have required a big effort and taken a degree of energy and stamina out of some horses, but not for Justify, not on this day.
Then three weeks after the Preakness, Justify was put to another massive test. He had already been asked to go from maiden winner to Kentucky Derby winner in the space of 11 weeks. He had handled three different tracks and a broad spectrum of weather and track conditions. He had handled the level of crowd excitement that can easily unnerve an older, more experienced horse. And now he would be asked to tackle another track (a fast one this time), added distance, and a whole new level of media attention with the Triple Crown on the line. He would be asked to win going 1 1/2 miles only three weeks after the Preakness, only 112 days after his career debut. Many people wondered if the Belmont would be one ask too many, they questioned whether he had the stamina for the extra distance. But Justify has both speed and stamina elements in his pedigree and maybe his stride was just that efficient, his talent just that superior, his desire and will to win just too great for him to be overcome. When the starting gates opened, Justify set his powerful stride in fluid motion and quickly cast aside all doubts. Justify led from start to finish, winning the Belmont Stakes (replay) in a time of 2:28.18 and capturing the Triple Crown. Justify became only the 2nd horse to win the Triple Crown undefeated and the 1st Triple Crown winner to do so without having raced as a two year old. He retired an undefeated Triple Crown winner, having gone from maiden to 13th Triple Crown winner in only 112 days. Justify joins an elite group of equine athletes in the history books. The thirteen triple crown winners are: Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharoah (2015), and Justify (2018).
To see Justify's name alongside these all-time great horses is a dream come true for us at Glennwood. Justify's Triple Crown achievement was literally pure magic for our team. Not only was he bred and raised at Glennwood, a relatively small farm compared to our peers, but also Justify's mum is a homebred mare named Stage Magic. Stage Magic is by Ghostzapper out of Magical Illusion, a mare purchased by John Gunther at the Keeneland November sale several years ago. Stage Magic RNA'd as a yearling (fortunately!) and raced to modest black-type success in the silks of her breeder, John Gunther. She then joined the broodmare band and produced Justify as her third foal. Glennwood has a special sense of family with Justify, having cared not only for him but also his dam, grand-dam, siblings and cousins.
The slideshow below captures various moments during the Triple Crown journey. Please forgive the amateur photos and think of them as blurry and an incomplete set due to all of the excitement that surrounded the Triple Crown! As you will see, we didn't take a lot of post-race photos after the Kentucky Derby - we were too busy jumping up and down with shocked excitement and running with the owner connections to the winner's circle (the Kentucky Derby winner's circle!!!). We were not able to attend the Preakness in person so watched it with nervous anticipation from afar. With the Triple Crown on the line and our hopes incredibly high, we flew to New York for the Belmont Stakes - we couldn't miss being there in person to watch Justify's bid for the Triple Crown! When Justify bounded effortlessly forward out of the starting gates, we knew in our hearts that he would not settle for anything other than victory. He made the history books on that special day, crowned Belmont Stakes victor and Triple Crown champion. Justify took us on an amazing journey in 2018, one that we never expected to experience and one we will cherish forever.
This incredible journey ultimately took its toll. Justify suffered a minor injury after the Belmont and just like that his racing career was over. There wasn't sufficient time to ensure a complete recovery from the injury before the end of the season in order to contest races against older horses. His stature as a Triple Crown winner was too great and his stud value too high to risk an untimely return late in the season, where the unthinkable could happen if he was not 100% recovered from injury. We firmly believe that Justify would have triumphed over top older horses if circumstances had allowed him the opportunity. Justify beat every horse he came up against and his performances in doing so were remarkable each and every time. His magnificent presence and air of superiority, suggests that he had no intention of letting anyone beat him. Not ever. Had an easier career course been charted that tested him less vigorously, perhaps he may not have sustained a career-shortening injury, but then he wouldn't have made Triple Crown history either. The Triple Crown is the ultimate achievement and only comes once in a horse's lifetime. Bob Baffert clearly knew that Justify was special, that he could overcome all the odds and achieve what no ordinary good horse could hope to do. Justify was asked to accomplish the extraordinary, and he delivered. He is the horse of a lifetime for us at Glennwood. [TOP]
Justify debuted a winner on February 18, 2018 as a 3 year old. He entered the Kentucky Derby off of only three lifetime starts: maiden, allowance, and the G1 Santa Anita Derby (replay). These three starts weren't ordinary performances though, they were scintillating victories and Justify would enter the starting gates for the Kentucky Derby as the undefeated favorite. The first half mile of the Derby was run in a smoking 45.77 with Justify a neck off the pacesetter. Many spectators could be heard worrying out loud that he had gone too fast early, but we were silent with confidence in his ability and the belief that the clean break and early good position was what he needed on this spectacularly muddy first Saturday in May. Justify took the lead rounding the far turn and offered no sign of letting up down the stretch. Juvenile Champion Good Magic made a valiant effort to reach Justify, but the sound of those chasing hoofbeats and a nudge from jockey Mike Smith was all that it took to inspire Justify to lengthen his stride once again and draw away to win the Kentucky Derby in a final time of 2:04.20. The crowd roared, history had been made, and we were at once stunned and joyous beyond words. Justify had done it, he had won the Kentucky Derby (replay)!
The possibility of a Triple Crown now loomed large, as it always does in the days after the Derby. Justify had broken the Apollo curse by being the first horse since 1882 (136 years) to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced as a two year old. His victory in the Derby was dominant, who could beat him in the Preakness? Was he unstoppable? These seemed to be the thoughts and questions echoed by many in the immediate aftermath of the Derby. That is until a bruised foot kept him from returning to regular post-race training for a crucial few days within that two week window between the Derby and Preakness and sent the media buzzing. The uncertainty that evolved from this setback bolstered the confidence of the competition and so the likes of Derby 2nd Good Magic opted to face Justify again in the Preakness Stakes (replay). The race was hotly contested from the outset as Good Magic sought to expose potential vulnerability in the Derby winner. Hopes were swiftly dashed, disappearing like a fast-sinking sun at sunset, as Justify's white blaze was seen flashing to the lead amid the Pimlico fog and slop. Justify, both talented and gritty, put Good Magic away in the stretch and refused to yield to the late runs of his other foes. It was later revealed that Justify had also jumped a puddle near the finish line, the first time past the grandstands. At full tilt this leap would have required a big effort and taken a degree of energy and stamina out of some horses, but not for Justify, not on this day.
Then three weeks after the Preakness, Justify was put to another massive test. He had already been asked to go from maiden winner to Kentucky Derby winner in the space of 11 weeks. He had handled three different tracks and a broad spectrum of weather and track conditions. He had handled the level of crowd excitement that can easily unnerve an older, more experienced horse. And now he would be asked to tackle another track (a fast one this time), added distance, and a whole new level of media attention with the Triple Crown on the line. He would be asked to win going 1 1/2 miles only three weeks after the Preakness, only 112 days after his career debut. Many people wondered if the Belmont would be one ask too many, they questioned whether he had the stamina for the extra distance. But Justify has both speed and stamina elements in his pedigree and maybe his stride was just that efficient, his talent just that superior, his desire and will to win just too great for him to be overcome. When the starting gates opened, Justify set his powerful stride in fluid motion and quickly cast aside all doubts. Justify led from start to finish, winning the Belmont Stakes (replay) in a time of 2:28.18 and capturing the Triple Crown. Justify became only the 2nd horse to win the Triple Crown undefeated and the 1st Triple Crown winner to do so without having raced as a two year old. He retired an undefeated Triple Crown winner, having gone from maiden to 13th Triple Crown winner in only 112 days. Justify joins an elite group of equine athletes in the history books. The thirteen triple crown winners are: Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), American Pharoah (2015), and Justify (2018).
To see Justify's name alongside these all-time great horses is a dream come true for us at Glennwood. Justify's Triple Crown achievement was literally pure magic for our team. Not only was he bred and raised at Glennwood, a relatively small farm compared to our peers, but also Justify's mum is a homebred mare named Stage Magic. Stage Magic is by Ghostzapper out of Magical Illusion, a mare purchased by John Gunther at the Keeneland November sale several years ago. Stage Magic RNA'd as a yearling (fortunately!) and raced to modest black-type success in the silks of her breeder, John Gunther. She then joined the broodmare band and produced Justify as her third foal. Glennwood has a special sense of family with Justify, having cared not only for him but also his dam, grand-dam, siblings and cousins.
The slideshow below captures various moments during the Triple Crown journey. Please forgive the amateur photos and think of them as blurry and an incomplete set due to all of the excitement that surrounded the Triple Crown! As you will see, we didn't take a lot of post-race photos after the Kentucky Derby - we were too busy jumping up and down with shocked excitement and running with the owner connections to the winner's circle (the Kentucky Derby winner's circle!!!). We were not able to attend the Preakness in person so watched it with nervous anticipation from afar. With the Triple Crown on the line and our hopes incredibly high, we flew to New York for the Belmont Stakes - we couldn't miss being there in person to watch Justify's bid for the Triple Crown! When Justify bounded effortlessly forward out of the starting gates, we knew in our hearts that he would not settle for anything other than victory. He made the history books on that special day, crowned Belmont Stakes victor and Triple Crown champion. Justify took us on an amazing journey in 2018, one that we never expected to experience and one we will cherish forever.
This incredible journey ultimately took its toll. Justify suffered a minor injury after the Belmont and just like that his racing career was over. There wasn't sufficient time to ensure a complete recovery from the injury before the end of the season in order to contest races against older horses. His stature as a Triple Crown winner was too great and his stud value too high to risk an untimely return late in the season, where the unthinkable could happen if he was not 100% recovered from injury. We firmly believe that Justify would have triumphed over top older horses if circumstances had allowed him the opportunity. Justify beat every horse he came up against and his performances in doing so were remarkable each and every time. His magnificent presence and air of superiority, suggests that he had no intention of letting anyone beat him. Not ever. Had an easier career course been charted that tested him less vigorously, perhaps he may not have sustained a career-shortening injury, but then he wouldn't have made Triple Crown history either. The Triple Crown is the ultimate achievement and only comes once in a horse's lifetime. Bob Baffert clearly knew that Justify was special, that he could overcome all the odds and achieve what no ordinary good horse could hope to do. Justify was asked to accomplish the extraordinary, and he delivered. He is the horse of a lifetime for us at Glennwood. [TOP]