Justify Colt Enters Classic Picture in G3 Bahrain Trophy

Scandinavia (3c Justify x Fabulous, by Galileo) tagged himself as a potential classic contender for his connections on Thursday with a victory in the Group III Bahrain Trophy S. at Newmarket.

Racing over 13 furlongs in the race, he was patiently handled by Ryan Moore after losing the lead after the first quarter mile. Sticking close to that one throughout the middle stages, Scandinavia poured on the pressure with just over a half mile left to go and had the lead with three furlongs to the line.

Ryan Moore kept him focused in the stretch and the Justify son romped to an 8 ½ length win with the third placed runner 12 ¾ lengths behind him.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien as a homebred for the Coolmore partners, Scandinavia has finished in the top three in four of his six starts with one of those off-the-board finishes seeing him finish just 1 ½ lengths behind the winner. His victory puts him squarely in the picture for the Group I St. Leger if connections want to go that way.

“We could have some fun with him over those longer distances now,” said Coolmore’s Paul Smith “He seems to be progressing nicely and bounced out of Royal Ascot, where he was out wide for a long way. Ryan said he's uncomplicated and enjoyed the [fast] ground and he could maybe be a Cup horse for next year. We can plot our way towards those staying races later in the year.”

Scandinavia’s dam Fabulous has proven to be a successful broodmare when sent to Triple Crown winners as the dam of American Pharoah’s Group I winner Above The Curve and Group III-placed Thinking Of You. The mare is out of bluehen Mariah’s Storm, who produced eight winners from her 11 to race.

Among Grade II winner Mariah’s Storm’s foals were Horse of the Year and champion sire Giant’s Causeway and Group II winner You’resothrilling, who lead six stakes performers. You’resothrilling produced multiple champion Gleneagles, Group I winners Happily, Joan of Arc, and Marvellous, Group II winner and Group I placed Taj Mahal, Group III winner and Group I placed Coolmore, and stakes winner and Group I placed Toy.

Meanwhile other Mariah’s Storm daughters produced three-time Group I winner Decorated Knight and Group II winner and multiple Group I placed Storm The Stars.

Fabulous has a yearling colt by No Nay Never as well.

Justify is the sire of 11 stakes winners in 2025, tying with Practical Joke in second among all North American sires.