Triple Crown winner Justify has been retired from horse racing
It’s been more than a month since Justify won the 2018 Triple Crown. On Wednesday, though, his ownership sent a release announcing the chestnut colt has been retired from racing.
“Like everyone else, I am disappointed he won’t run again, but I am thankful he came into my life,” said jockey Mike Smith in the release. “There was never a time when I rode him that I felt like I was going to get beat.”
In his six races as a 3-year-old, Justify never was beat.
The horse became the 13th winner of the Triple Crown. He won the Churchill Downs by 2 1/2 lengths. He won the Preakness under fog. And then, in the Belmont Stakes, Justify edged out Gronkowski the horse.
In Wednesday’s release, trainer Bob Baffert spoke about the retirement.
“Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he is just not responding quick enough for a fall campaign,” Baffert said. “We all wanted to see Justify run again, but ultimately it is my responsibility to make sure he is perfect.
“Without 60 to 90 days, I can’t be definite.”
Justify earned $3,798,000 in his six races. According to reports, his breeding rights have been sold to Coolmore Stud for $60 million.
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