Undefeated Justify Filly Eying Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Justify looks to have an international runner eyeing this year’s Grade I Breeders’ Cup Distaff after Awesome Result (4f Justify x Blossomed, by Deputy Minister) won the Listed Breeders’ Gold Cup to stay undefeated in seven starts.

The Japan-based mare went off as a clear favorite in the 1 ¼ mile dirt race and took up a spot in third going into the first turn. She was allowed to settle there before being asked for more with three furlongs left to run and quickly secured the lead.

The filly stayed undefeated in the race, winning by an easy five lengths for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee and owner Insel Racing.

Awesome Result was bred by the Coolmore partners in Kentucky out of the Deputy Minister mare Blossomed. That mare also produced Grade I winner Sippican Harbor and the Grade III placed Bodacious Babe. Bodacious Babe is the dam of multiple stakes placed Royal Spa. Blossomed is a half-sister to the Grade III winner Cinemine and stakes winner Flick among others with her dam a half-sister to Grade I winner Peter Davies.

Blossomed had a full brother to Awesome Result in 2022.

Justify has 13 stakes winners this year and leads all North American sires by number of graded stakes performers at 21 and percentage of both stakes horses and Grade I horses.