Justify’s Storm Boy Impresses In Australia
Justify juveniles continued to impress around the world on Saturday when Storm Boy (2c Justify x Pelican, by Fastnet Rock) lived up to expectations in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Sent off as favorite in the six-furlong turf race in Australia, the colt entered the stretch in front and never gave the rest of the field a chance. Given an easy ride home, Storm Boy romped to a deceivingly small 2 ½ length victory.
The victory keeps the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainee undefeated in three starts and follows up a win in the Group III BJ McLachlan Stakes last out.
"It was amazing, totally dominant," Waterhouse said. "He basically toyed with them today, he is really, really impressive. He is big, look how big he is, it's amazing. He annihilated them, it was just so dominant, it means a lot to me."
The training team is now eying a run at the Group I Golden Slipper in a few months as part of a big autumn campaign.
"He looks a three-year-old already and I think a few people were checking his brands when he rolled in today, he's that much of a mature horse,” Bott said. "I think that's the upside with him – he's the real deal at two but it's scary to think if he can continue to improve into that three-year-old profile, he's going to be a top class prospect for us.”
Purchased for AU$460,000 at Magic Millions from the Coolmore consignment last year by his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds Storm Boy runs for a big ownership group headed by Cummingham Thoroughbreds and is already the earner of AU$2 million.
Bred by Rob and Barb McClure of Morning Rise Stud and Coolmore partners, he was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is the first foal from Pelican, a juvenile winner by out of New Zealand Horse of the Year and seven-time Group I winner Seachange.
The dam of a St Mark’s Basilica filly in 2023, the mare is in foal to Justify again. It has been a big week for Pelican, with her yearling Pierro colt selling for $375,000 to Bott and Waterhouse earlier this week.
Justify has gotten 2024 off to a quick start with in-demand horses at both the U.S. and Australian sales. He is also the sire of two Northern Hemisphere stakes performers already this year, the best of any North American stallion.