New 2YO SW for Justify- Storm Boy Wins G3

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 23

The $300,000 Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday was won in dominant style by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy, who has a half-brother by Pierro heading to MM 2024.

Storm Boy wins the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes - image Michael McInally Magic Millions

Storm Boy has been a real watch horse over the summer winning two trials in brilliant fashion before making a winning debut at Randwick at the start of the month.

Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, Storm Boy was made to do some work early when posted wide, but took over turning for home and kept up a good gallop to win by more than two lengths.

Storm Boy is the 25th stakes-winner for Coolmore’s Triple Crown hero Justify and has already banked nearly $280,000 from his first two starts with the promise of a lot more to come.

“He was a little bit awkward out of the gates and that put him on the backfoot early,” said Adrian Bott.

“Coming up here is never easy and you never take anything for granted as a short priced favourite in a small field. It can be a little bit difficult and you have to respect the locals on their home turf.

“He’s had to overcome difficulty, was strong late and there is still quite a bit of improvement to come. I like to think today will top him off nicely and he’ll learn a bit more and once he puts it altogether we’re going to  see a very lovely and top class horse.”

Advertisement

Storm Boy was a $460,000 MM purchase from the Coolmreo draft.

A $460,000 Magic Millions purchase for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Coolmore draft as agent for Morning Rise Stud, Storm Boy runs for a big ownership group headed by Cummingham Thoroughbreds.

He is the first foal from Pelican, a metro juvenile winner by champion sire Fastnet Rock from NZ Horse of the Year and seven time Group I winner Seachange.

Coolmore as agent for Morning Rise will offer the second foal from Pelican, a colt by Pierro, as Lot 33 at Magic Millions and the mare has foaled again this spring producing a filly by St Mark’s Basilica (FR) and is now back in foal to Justify.

Yearling half-brother by Pierro to Storm Boy.

A look through Breednet’s family search feature reveals four yearlings from the Seachange family for upcoming sales, click to see them.

The Justify x Fastnet Rock nick is looming as one of serious potential with 12 winners from 14 runners, so 85.7% winner to runner and four stakes-winners – Learning to Fly, Star of Justice, Just Steel - at 28.5% SW to runner.

Justify has nine entries for Magic Millions and one of them is from a daughter of Fastnet Rock with the Coolmore consigned Lot 508 a colt from Fastnet Rock mare Casuarina Forest. He is a half-brother to Group III placed Fox Cleopatra and his dam is a full sister to Group I winning sire Foxwedge.

Advertisment

Race Result - Magic Millions B.J. McLachlan Stakes Gr3 1200m

Eagle Farm Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.12
1
Storm Boy
- 2c Justify (USA) x Pelican (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 57
Justify
2
2.4
Poster Girl
- 2f Alabama Express (AUS) x Caricature (USA) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: Chris Munce Rdr: R Dolan 55
3
2.9
Customized
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Single Sapphire (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: B Shinn 57
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $400,000
Seller: Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: China Horse Club/Newgate/Go Bloodstock/Trilogy
4
5.6
Astapor
- 2c Tassort (AUS) x Black Mink (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Clinton Taylor Rdr: Justin P Stanley 57
5
12.3
Mishani Aloha
- 2f Kobayashi (AUS) x Hawaiian Princess (AUS) (Refuse To Bend (IRE))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: Ben Thompson 55
6
18.4
Moet At Midnight
- 2g The Mission (AUS) x Moet Miss (AUS) (Uncle Mo (USA))
Tnr: B J Lockwood Rdr: Jaden Lloyd 57
More Reading...
Sixth Winner for Anders
First past the post at Wyong on June 24, talented Anders filly Sapling lost that race on protest, but quickly made amends when returning to the same track on Saturday to score her first actual victory.
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
Public Attention Sold to Hong Kong
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Te Akau Stars Headed to Cranbourne
Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.
Storm Boy Looking Good In Ireland
Coolmore Stud have released an interesting video through their social channels on Storm Boy as he builds up for a European campaign and no doubt a Royal Ascot tilt under Aidan O’Brien.
New Sprint Star for WA?
Oakland Park's veteran WA sire Sessions is rarely without a good horse to represent him, and the son of Lonhro now has his sixth stakes winner after exciting 3YO galloper Repossession spanked the older horses to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes at Pinjarra Park.
Storm Boy Dominant in G3 San Domenico
Coolmore’s Triple Crown winning sire Justify (USA) has the best three year-old colt in Europe in City of Troy and may well have the best three year-old colt in Australia with his exciting son Storm Boy treating his rivals with contempt in the Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Debut Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Set to shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (FR) had an impressive debut winner overnight in the UK with Cape Ashizuri opening his account in style.
Stakes Success for Spritely 7YO Warhorse
Pearce Racing's seven year old warhorse Ginger Baker collected his first ever stakes win in the Listed 2200m South West Cup yesterday.