Justify, undefeated Triple Crown winner, is retired

By Tod Leonard The San Diego Union-Tribune • July 25, 2018 1:30 am
Justify, with Mike Smith up, was all alone at the finish in the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018. The reigning Triple Crown winner was retired on Wednesday. (Ron Garrison/Lexington Herald-Leader/Zuma Press/TNS)
Justify, with Mike Smith up, was all alone at the finish in the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018. The reigning Triple Crown winner was retired on Wednesday. (Ron Garrison/Lexington Herald-Leader/Zuma Press/TNS)

By Tod Leonard

The San Diego Union-Tribune

DEL MAR, Calif. — The brilliant but brief racing career of Justify officially ended Wednesday with the announcement that the Triple Crown winner was being retired.

The 3-year-old son of Scat Daddy raced just six times, all in a span of 112 days earlier this year, and won all six, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

“That was 112 days we’re never going to see again,” trainer Bob Baffert said hours before the announcement.

He is the first Triple Crown winner to retire undefeated, although he also ran by far the fewest number of races (American Pharoah was next at 11). He was the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby without having raced as a 2-year-old.

His retirement did not come as a surprise. Baffert — who also trained American Pharoah — had ruled him out of all the big summer races due to a swollen ankle, and the only question was whether his owners would risk his health and his record in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His value is estimated at about $75 million.

“Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he is just not responding quick enough for a fall campaign,” Baffert said in a statement. “We all wanted to see Justify run again, but ultimately it is my responsibility to make sure he is perfect. Without 60-90 days, I can’t be definite.”

Baffert said in the morning, “I know one thing — since he had this little break, he looks like I could run him out of his stall right now. … He’s rambunctious.”

Justify has been at Del Mar for the last couple weeks and will be paraded in the paddock and on the track after Saturday’s fourth race, at about 3:40 p.m. He will return to WinStar Farm in Kentucky early next month and begin a stallion career in 2019. WinStar owns Justify along with China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC and Starlight Racing.

“The timing is bad for another start in 2018, and therefore, we have to retire him,” said WinStar Farm’s Elliott Walden in a statement. “Like American Pharoah, we can’t take the risk of running Justify as a 4-year-old. We all wanted him to finish his career in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), but it was not meant to be. As has been reported, there is a possible sale to Coolmore in place, but that won’t be finalized until a later date. We are excited to share him with our fans starting the middle of August after he gets acclimated.”

Justify was purchased for $500,000 in September 2016 and earned $3,798,000 for his six victories, which included the Santa Anita Derby.

“He is an incredible horse and we are very disappointed he can’t run again,” said WinStar Farm’s Kenny Troutt. “All things happen for a reason, and we are blessed to have raced him to be the 13th Triple Crown winner in history.”