“In 2019 we offer the finest line-up of stallions ever assembled at Coolmore Australia with an outstanding mix of proven sires, the best young colonial sire prospects and a select group of international superstars,” expressed Tom Magnier, the Coolmore General Manager.

“It is an honour to stand two US Triple Crown winners in the Hunter Valley. Justify, the only Triple Crown winner ever to retire unbeaten, will stand alongside American Pharoah, who has already enjoyed an excellent start with his first 2yo’s in Europe and America.”

“We are also delighted to offer the unbeaten Gr1 winning 2yo and Guineas winning 3yo Saxon Warrior and the incredibly exciting Mendelssohn, who has everything we look for in a stallion.”

In Coolmore announcing that Justify will join American Pharoah in Australian their Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert stated ‘both Justify, American Pharoah will thrive in Australia. Though neither won on grass their offspring will handle it without problems.’

Justify retired the only undefeated US Triple Crown winner having won the Kentucky Derby by 2½ lengths form Good Magic, the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes by 1¾ lengths from Gronkowski and defeated Bolt d’Oro by 3 lengths in the Santa Anita Derby. Also, he was US Horse of The Year.

At Ashford Stud in Kentucky earlier this year his first book included 67 Group 1 winner, or dams of Group 1 winner. In fact, BloodHorse commented ‘it would be a lengthy search to find a better representative of the Thoroughbred breed. He brings speed, stride and stamina.’

Sired by the late, great Scat Daddy, who was America’s hottest sire when dying aged 11 in 2015, Justify is the best of his sire’s 39 Graded/Group winners from eight crops with a high 10% stakes winners to foals ratio. ‘Scat Daddy is renowned for his ability to produce top turf horses,’ stated Bob Baffert.

His jockey, Mike Smith said ‘he certainly has the pedigree to be a great stallion, and has everything in a horse that’s going to be a stallion. He was naturally quick with a very high cruising speed. Had a lot of stamina, not to mention the athleticism and balance.’

‘When Justify gets to Australia they will look at him and go ‘wow’. He’s always had the wow factor,’ said Bob Baffert. ‘He could do it all. Justify, it’s very rare to see a horse like him. He’s perfect.’

The first US Triple Crown winner in 37-years, American Pharoah this year had his first weanlings in Australia sell from $500,000 to $850,000. In the US his first 2yo’s in 2019 sold up to $1.65m, with his first American yearlings topping $2.2m.

In this his first 2yo season Maven won the Prix de Bois on turf at Deauville having previously won on dirt at Aquaduct. Monarch of Egypt won on debut at Naas before running second in the Railway Stakes, while Saqqara King winning at Newmarket and Envied at Ellis Park.

Scat Daddy’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn also stands his first season at Coolmore Australia, having been a $3m buy at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, from the Broodmare of The Year in Leslie’s Lady.

‘Mendelssohn proved the versatility that is Scat Daddy’s legacy by winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and following up with the $2m UAE Derby on dirt,’ says Coolmore in quoting the Racing Post. ‘A shade under 16.1hh he offers breeders brilliance both top and bottom.’

‘The Scat Daddy heritage provides five immediate sire ancestors who all were Gr1 winners at two, and Mendelssohn’s famous half-siblings Beholder and Into Mischief achieved the same feat. Just as importantly, Into Mischief has evolved into one of North America’s most successful sires.’

This season Coolmore welcomes the 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, the son of the Japanese super sire Deep Impact, who as a 2yo also captured the Racing Post Trophy.

In not only defeating the Epsom Derby winner Masar in the 2000 Guineas, along with four-time Gr1 winner Roaring Lion and the Breeders’ Cup winner Expert Eye, Saxon Warrior was later twice a neck second in the Irish Champion Stakes and Eclipse Stakes.

From the unbeaten European 2YO champion Maybe, Saxon Warrior’s grandam is the stakes-winning 2yo Sumora, herself a three-quarter sister to Epsom Oaks winner Dancing Rain. This is the family of Epsom Derby winner Dr Devious and Archway the Champion Irish Sprinter.

Also new this year in association with Swettenham Stud, Victoria is Sioux Nation, who at two-years won the important Phoenix Stakes and Royal Ascot Norfolk Stakes, before winning the 1200m Lacken Stakes at three.

‘A fine sprinting type on looks, big and good-bodied’ son of Scat Daddy, Sioux Nation is from Dream The Blues, by champion sprinter and proven sire Oasis Dream, with his grandam being the Gr1 sprinter Catch The Blues.