Justify Head

Dam of Russian Emperor in Foal to Justify

The Group III Hampton Court Stakes (1m2f) at Royal Ascot overnight was won by blue-blooded colt Russian Emperor (3c Galileo x Atlantic Jewel, by Fastnet Rock), a son of champion Australian mare Atlantic Jewel, who is now back at stud in Australia and in foal to Justify.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Russian Emperor improved on his last start second in the Group III Derrinstown Derby Trial, hitting the line hard to win by half a length.

“Russian Emperor is a really nice colt and he's got a lovely attitude. His dam was very good, she was a champion in Australia,” said Ryan Moore.

“He won his maiden at Naas and it was very quick at Leopardstown the last day, it was hard to make up ground. He was very professional today and he showed a good attitude, I think ten furlongs is fine but he may get further. I think he'll be a nice horse for the rest of the year. Whether he runs in the Derby will be decided, but he's given himself a chance.”

A four time Group I winner by Fastnet Rock, Atlantic Jewel was sent to the Northern Hemisphere to begin her stud career for Coolmore and Russian Emperor is her second foal to race and both are winners.

He was retained to race by breeders Laurie Macri, Coolmore and partners.

She has a two year-old filly and yearling colt to follow by Galileo and is now back in Australia and safely in foal to Triple Crown hero Justify, who covered 149 of the finest mares in Australasia last year.

Justify’s first Australian book included stakes-winners:

G1 winners Atlantic Jewel, Nakeeta Jane, Black Mamba (NZ), Global Glamour, Scarlett Lady (NZ), Srikandi, The Party Stand, Aide Memoire (NZ), Cat Moves (USA), Galaxy Star, Savvy Coup (NZ), Kononkop (Arg), Loving New (Brz)

G2 winners Badawoya, Dream Play (USA), Floria (NZ), Fontein Ruby, Formality, Hips Don’t Lie, I’ll Have a Bit, Legless Veuve (NZ), Our Abbadean (NZ), Savanpinski (NZ), Sensible Princess (NZ), Lightstream (USA)

G3 winners Aspen Lass (NZ), Celebrity Dream (NZ), Eckstein, Ennis Hill, Enstone (Can), Evo Campo (IRE) Graceful Anna, Invincible Star, Jazz Song, Koonoomoo, Lady Melksham, Moment in Time, Neena Rock, Pedrena, Princess Posh, Sacred Eye, Tulip, Love to Boogie (SAF)

Listed winners Brilliant Bisc, Enticing Star, Galizani, Jennifer Lynn, Lake Geneva, Marianne, Miss Seton Sands, Peron, Stopshoppingmaria (USA)

Also the dams of stakes-winners:

G1 winners- Loving Gaby, Irish Lights, Oohood, Extra Brut, Age of Fire, Julinsky Prince, Mighty Boss, Go Indy Go, Questing New, Better Life (Sng), Le Romain, The Mission, Dear Demi

G2 winners Oceanex, Zululand, Always Shopping, Lumosty, Fiesta, Pretty Brazen, Sertorius, Believe Yourself

G3 winners Amexed, Essay Raider, Ennis Hill, Pohutukawa, Dawn Wall, Dollar for Dollar, Super One, Chivalry

Listed winners Mickey Blue Eyes, Lake Geneva, First Crush, Mo Shopping, In a Twinkling, Religify, Sebring Sun

Justify stands this year at a fee of $66,000.