The deal that most in the breeding industry had been expecting was completed on Wednesday when Coolmore announced it was the new owner of Storm Boy.
The son of Justify will continue his career in navy blue after an agreement, the specifics of which were not made public, was reached between Coolmore and the owners of the $460,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase.
Storm Boy took his record to three wins from as many starts in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, a performance that made him a raging favourite for the Golden Slipper, and Tom Magnier was thrilled to get the son of the US Triple Crown winner, who also stands at Coolmore.
“We have had a close eye on this colt since his first trial and he has raised the bar each time he has been seen in public,” Magnier, Coolmore Australia’s principal, said.
“Storm Boy being by Justify is obviously a huge positive for us as we are of the firm belief that what Justify is currently doing as a sire is only the tip of the iceberg for him.
“Through the likes of City Of Troy, Opera Singer and Ramatuelle in Europe, Just FYI and Hard To Justify in America and now Storm Boy in Australia, he is quite clearly the best sire of two-year-olds in the world.
“We want to be involved in Justify’s best sons globally, but given that Storm Boy was raised and grazed at Coolmore makes him even more special for us to be part of.”
Storm Boy, who was bred by Morning Rise Stud’s Rob McLure, will remain in the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, who bought him in partnership with Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
He is out of the New Zealand mare Pelican, a daughter of Fastnet Rock and multiple Group 1 winner Seachange.
Storm Boy was given a brief let-up after his Magic Millions win and is back in work at Tulloch Lodge with the $300,000 Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 2 likely to be his only start before the $5 million Golden Slipper on March 23.
