Star Mares to Visit Justify

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier secured Group I winner Booker earlier in the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for $1.6 million and then later added Champion Sprinting filly Samaready to his tally for $1.8 million, both mares set to be covered by Triple Crown winner Justify in the spring.

Consigned by Vinery Stud, Samaready won the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes and MVRC Moir Stakes and her first foal to race is Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates, who was bought by Godolphin for $600,000 at Magic Millions in 2018.

She was offered in foal to champion sire Snitzel on an early service so will produce a full sibling to Exhilarates for her new owner later this year.

Booker won over $800,000 on the track and was consigned by Yarran Thoroughbreds on behalf of her owners Barry and Midge Griffiths. She is a full sister to stakes-winner Banquo.

She has always been a good looker and made $230,000 at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale when offered by Mill Park and bought by Barry Griffiths making her the most expensive filly by her sire sold in 2016.

Booker has not yet been to stud, so Justify will be her first mating.

“We bought a lot of nice mares last year and we want to do the same again this year. Obviously we want to be a big supporter of Justify, as a lot of people are and he’s getting the best chance at stud by getting the best mares for him,’’ Magnier said.

“Samaready ticks every box - she was a great race mare, she’s a great physical, she’s got the pedigree and she’s proven. She’s ideal.

“When you put her to a champion like Justify, hopefully the end result will be exciting.

“Booker looks very fast and she’s got a lot of quality.

“All the top people were on her so we’re delighted to get a mare like this for the syndicate.’’

The first Australian mares in foal to Justify were also offered at this sale with Group III placed Snitzel mare Luskintyre Lass selling for $250,000 to Gall Bloodstock and stakes-placed All Too Hard mare Fine Scent selling for $210,000 to McKeever Bloodstock Ltd / Watership Down Stud.

Justify returns to Australia this spring at a fee of $77,000 and breeders will be looking forward to seeing his first local foals following on from his stunning first foals born in the Northern Hemisphere this year.