With two sons of Justify at stud in Australia this spring in City of Troy (USA) and Storm Boy, there is always interest in the Triple Crown winning sire and he produced a new 2YO stakes-winner overnight at York that is headed for G1 company.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by ryan Moore, Haffner was favourite for the Group III Acomb Stakes (7f) coming out of a second in the Group II Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
Haffner scored a dominant two length win and with two wins and two seconds from four starts is seen as a classic hope for next season.
“Haffner is a typical Justify, he stays very well. He's a very good mover. He's come forward from Goodwood, where he ran a bit babyish,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“We were a little bit worried about the ground, but he had no problem. Ryan [Moore] was very happy with him and this is where he wanted to come with him, and I couldn't be happier with him.
“I'm not sure he would get a mile and a half, but he will get a mile really strongly and a mile and a quarter. It would be made for him [this race was a win and you're in for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf]. I couldn't be happier. He's a Guineas, on to a French Derby type of horse.”
Haffner was purchased for $375,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Taylor Made Sales by M.V. Magnier/White Birch Farm and is the second winner from stakes-placed Zoffany mare Earth Strike.
A grand-daughter of Champion US 2YO Filly Storm Song, Earth Strike is a sibling to Group I winning stayer Order of St George, Group winners Asperity and Angel Terrace , plus stakes-winner Sehoy.
Haffner is the 68th stakes-winner for Justify, who stands at Ashford Stud for Coolmore in Kentucky at a fee of US$200,000.
His sire sons in Australia are priced more affordably with City of Troy at $49,500, while Storm Boy is $16,500.
