The number 13 is anything but unlucky for three-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred stallion Justify who, in June 2018, became only the thirteenth horse in racing history to win the American Triple Crown (only the second since Seattle Slew to win on an undefeated record) and now joins 2015 Triple Crown champion American Pharoah as one of Breyer®’s greatest commemorative racing collectibles of the century.
“It’s an honor to have Justify join the Breyer stable of champions and to now be able to share him with fans of all ages,” said Elliot Walden, President and CEO of WinStar Farm. WinStar Farm shares ownership of Justify with China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners and Starlight Racing.
Despite heavy rain and sloppy track conditions at Churchill Downs and Pimlico, the 16.3-hand Justify’s powerful front-running style left him virtually mud-free as he carried jockey Mike E. Smith over the finish lines and trainer Bob Baffert into the winner’s circles at the Kentucky Derby and then Preakness Stakes. Winning the Derby, Justify dispelled the ‘Curse of Apollo,’ (no horse since 1882 had won the Derby without having first raced as a two-year old) and in winning the Belmont Stakes, dispelled doubts about his endurance and post (No.1) position (no horse had won the Belmont starting on the rail since Empire Maker in 2003).
“This horse is just amazing,” trainer Bob Baffert has said about training his second Triple Crown champion in three years (he also trained American Pharoah). “It never gets old. American Pharoah was my first love, but wow, Mike Smith deserved something like this.” Justify (Scat Daddy x Stage Magic x Ghostzapper) was foaled on March 28, 2015.
“Fans of all ages have been calling and messaging our office daily since Justify went wire to wire in the Belmont Stakes, requesting a Breyer Justify model to call their own,” stated Stephanie Macejko, VP of Marketing for Breyer. “We’re thrilled to make it a reality!”
Breyer will release a collection of portrait models honoring Justify in November 2018, including Traditional (1:9 scale), Classics (1:12 scale) and Stablemates (1:32 scale), as well as a beautiful holiday ornament. An additional sculpture is also underway for 2019 to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment!
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