Justify On Top at Keeneland November
As the hammer dropped on the last hip of the 2024 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, it was clear that Justify is still in high demand with buyers.
Justify led all stallions by gross when it came to in-foal mares with his 15 sold bringing a combined $7.78 million for an average of $518,667 – putting him third among all stallions with five or more in-foal mares sold.
Eight different mares carrying foals by the stallion sold for $500,000 or more, led by Arrogate mare Dua.
Bringing $900,000 from Summer Wind Equine, the Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa-offered Dua received a big update when her half-brother Tip Top Thomas finished second in the Grade I Champagne Stakes. A multiple graded stakes placed runner herself who is carrying to Justify for her first foal, Dua is also a half-sister to the stakes winning Gray Attempt and to the dam of champion Ethical Lady.
Whisper Hill Farm was the buyer of the Gainesway-offered Piedi Bianchi when purchasing her for $800,000.
An eight-time winner, Piedi Bianchi won five stakes in her career and was multiple Grade I placed. Foaling her first foal in 2023 when giving birth to an Uncle Mo filly, she is carrying to Justify for her third foal. Piedi Bianchi is one of three stakes winners out of the stakes placed Adore You, who also produced multiple stakes winner and Grade I placed Outadore and stakes winner Mind Reader.
Adore You is one of three stakes performers out of her own dam, who also produced champion Vivaldi Girl and stakes winner and Grade II placed Salamera.
Justify’s other in foal mares brought $725,000, $600,000, $600,000, etc.
Horses by Justify averaged $270,385 with his gross of $3.515 million second best of any stallion with less than 15 sold. His average was also second best of any stallion with more than 10 sold
The third most expensive horse by Justify in the sale after two of his daughters sold for $550,000 and $500,000 respectively was a $400,000 weanling colt offered by Blandford Stud. The colt was purchased by Avenue during Book 1.
This February-born colt is the first out of the winning Candy Ride mare Sweet Carolena, who is a half-sister to Grade I winner Violence and to the dam of Grade II-placed Free Look. The page is a strong one with his fourth dam being champion and Filly Triple Crown winner Sky Beauty, who produced Group III winner and leading sire Hurricane Cat among others.
Justify is having another banner year on the track with his 15 stakes winners and 41 stakes performers led by three Grade I winners and six Grade I performers. He also leads all North American stallions by percentage of stakes performers and graded stakes performers.