AAA Thoroughbreds, the weanling pinhooking arm of Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, continued their shopping spree Nov. 10 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, signing for a Justify colt at $425,000. The chestnut out of the Curlin mare Saralin was offered by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa as Hip 855 to the third session.
"He's a beautiful horse; we're big fans of Justify," Randy Hartley confessed. "When Scat Daddy passed away, we never dreamed there would be another stallion to replace him, let alone a Triple Crown-winning son of his."
Bred in Kentucky by Oprendale/Chelston/Wynatt/Kaleem Shah, the chestnut born in May comes from the family of Argentinian group 2 winner Sarasota; his dam Saralin is a half sibling to the $1.5 million earner and Carter Handicap (G1) winner Salutos Amigos and Honeymoon Handicap (G2T) victress Sarah's Secret.
The colt's dam went through the ring just before him, selling to KSI for $285,000; she was not mated for 2023. She has a Justify yearling colt named Big Truzz, which sold for $300,000 to Boardshorts Stables during the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Hip 855 was the most expensive purchase for Hartley/DeRenzo during Friday's session, followed by five other weanlings: a $300,000 Yaupon filly, an Essential Quality filly for $260,000, an Uncle Mo filly for $250,000, another Justify colt for $250,000, and a McKinzie colt for $80,000.
"In September, we tried to buy every Justify we could get our hands on, and I came here with the same goal in mind," Hartley said. "Breeders' Cup weekend just did it for us. He's the type of stallion we haven't seen in a long time. I know Gun Runner got off to an excellent start, but it looks like Justify is trying to follow in the same suit."
