Yorkshire Oaks Possible for New Justify Stakes-Winner

Tara Madgwick - Monday Aug 14

Australia’s reigning Champion First Season sire Justify (USA) posted a new stakes-winner in Ireland overnight when blue-blood three year-old filly Unless took out the Listed Michael John Kennedy Memorial Irish EBF Stakes (1m2f).

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Gary Carroll, Unless improved off a last start second in a Listed race relishing the step up in trip from a mile at her first try at a staying distance.

She powered to the line to win by a length and three-quarters over race favourite Azazat, an Aga Khan homebred filly by Camelot. Unless has now won two races and placed six times from 10 starts and holds entries for several upcoming Group races.

“Unless always looked like she would appreciate stepping up to that trip and she could even get further. The Yorkshire Oaks (G1 on August 24) is a possibility,” said Aidan O’Brien.

Advertisement

A homebred for the Coolmore partners, Unless is the first winner for blueblood Galileo mare Clemmie, the Champion European 2YO Filyl of 2017 and a full sister to Champion 3YO Miler and successful sire Churchill.

She is the 16th stakes-winner for Justify and is his second stakes-winner from a daughter of Galileo joining boom two year-old colt City of Troy.

Justify (USA), click for a Hypo mating.

Justify returns to Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $77,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
South Australian Breeders Celebrate Cup Week Racing
Often considered the pinnacle of racing in Australia, the week-long Flemington carnival draws together four days of outstanding racing with South Australian bred runners playing a strong hand in this year’s results, winning on each of the four days.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Three trials for juveniles were run at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning with winners for Ciaron Maher, Bjorn Baker and the Waterhouse Bott stable.
ATO Takes Harder Line on Losses
For such a contentious topic—particularly for participants in the thoroughbred industry—the wait for updated ATO guidance on whether an activity is a “business” or a “hobby” has certainly been a long one.
Doing Time Wins $100,000 Sprinters Challenge at Riccarton
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time.
Debut Winners Join Road to TAB Karaka Millions 2YO
The $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) dream is well and truly alive for two big groups of owners following first-start victories by two-year-old fillies at Te Rapa and Tauherenikau last weekend.
Coolmore Announce 2027 European Fees
Coolmore has announced European stud fees for the 2027 breeding season, led once again by multiple Champion 2YO Sire No Nay Never at €120,000.
Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill Appointed NZB’s American Representatives
NZB are thrilled to announce the appointment of Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill as American-based Sale Representatives.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Ace Stud Add Night of Thunder Stallion to Roster
The European sister farm to Yulong, Ace Stud have announced the addition of a new stallion to their Newmarket roster with Zeus Olympios to join Shaquille and Lucky Vega, who is finishing his Australian season in the Hunter Valley after switching from Victoria.
Expensive Ready to Run Graduate Primed for G1 NZ 2000 Guineas
There is plenty of hype surrounding promising gelding Thunder In Motion ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, and trainer Mark Forbes is hoping he can deliver in the southern Classic.