Hoping to repeat, or maybe surpass, the success they had with 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Caravel, Qatar Racing went to $1.4 million to secure her Justify half brother at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig Tipton's select yearling sale, Aug. 4 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Just like Caravel (Mizzen Mast), Hip 29 was bred in Pennsylvania by Elizabeth Merryman and was consigned for the sale by Hunter Valley Farm. Out of the winning Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom, he is also a half to multiple stakes winner Witty (Great Notion ).
"We know the family very well, I've known him since he was a foal," Qatar Racing's chairman Sheikh Fahad Al Thani said. "He's the one we wanted, so I'm very happy to get him."
The horse's color and size—likely gained from his Triple Crown-winning sire, Justify, who stood the 2025 breeding season at Coolmore's Ashford Stud for a $250,000 fee—makes him quite a different physical specimen than his two-time grade 1-winning half sister. That physique comes with big plans for Qatar Racing.
"I'd say he's nicer than Caravel," Sheikh Fahad said. "He's way nicer than Caravel. He's a much bigger model. ... Hopefully he's our stallion."
The price came a bit higher than originally thought, but Sheikh Fahad was determined to get what he considered the top pick of the sale "by far."
The colt will head back to Hunter Valley Farm near Versailles, Ky. He will likely be trained by Brad Cox, who trained Caravel for her final two seasons when she won two grade 1s, both against the boys, and five total graded races.
