First Winner For Just As Well(USA)

First Winner For Just As Well(USA)

International Group winning sire Just As Well has had his two year olds arrive in a serious fashion.

After getting Black Type from David Niewenhuizen’s Just As I Said in just a handful of runners who have all placed, his speedy R35 000 KZN Yearling Sales graduate son won his second start in stunning fashion by four lengths at the Vaal yesterday on the turf, over 1000m.

Just Africa [pictured right courtesy of JC Photos] ran away to a four length victory from Trippi colt Dolphin, with Tearaway by Argonaut finishing third. The two year old son of Just As Well ran fourth on debut in February at Turffontein over 1000m, for trainer Paul Peter and owners’ H C N da Costa & T P Zackey & Hyperpaint Syndicate (Nom: Mr G T Peter).

Bred by Bruce Le Roux of Spring Valley Stud, who stands Just As Well for owners Roski Stud and Anton Procter, Just Africa is the first foal out of Australian mare Hallo Africa, by one of Redoute’s Choice top performing sons, Stratum. She was trained by Dennis Drier.

Hallo Africa is in turn out of an Inflate(AUS) mare, Inflate being by Forty Niner. Hallo Africa won once at three from only three starts, and has a 2013 Muhtafal colt named Hallo Mr. She descends from an Australian female line that includes Gr1 winning Zappari (14 wins), Gr3 winner Cahuita and Tereschenko.

With just 14 runs in total from only five runners, he has had his first winner and nine places – including Just As I Said finishing third in the Storm Bird Stakes Listed. Just As I Said is looking for a win very soon, having placed from all five his starts, finishing second by a nose last time out.

Just As Well is represented by seven well-bred yearlings at the upcoming National Yearling Sale in April. They include Lot 288, an unnamed colt [pictured left] out of Modraj by Machiavellian – a half-brother to Dubai-placed Alareef.

This unnamed colt has an exceptional walk and looks to be a classic type, filled with quality reflecting his pedigree. The second dam is a half-sister to Urban Sea, the dam of sire sensation Galileo and Sea The Stars. As Bruce Le Roux commented regarding this world dominating pedigree, “you just can’t buy this family!”

Another is Lot 329, from Roski Stud, named Goeastmyson – this chestnut colt is a half-brother to recent three time winner Leven Point – Pointing East’s (by Jallad) first foal.

Juli Santini of Roski Stud comments on Goeastmyson: “He is a November foal and I think the timing of this sale is wrong for him. He went through such a growth spurt in his hindquarter a few weeks back, and his shoulders havent caught up yet, which leaves him looking a little out of proportion.

“He is three months behind the others and I think if he had more time, he would look amazing. He is a quality colt and we have high hopes for him, especially considering the record of Leven Point.”

Juli goes on to discuss their other Just As Well presented for sale, a filly out of A Thousand Jets, Lot 23. “She is a stunning, very big well grown filly out of a Jet Master mare named Molly Kool. She is the second produce from the mare and a full-sister to the first foal, Just A Jet.” This is the damline of Destroyer, Gallantry, Yataghan and Summer Silence, as well as In Camera.

Clifton Stud have a super athletic colt available named Just An Affair [pictured right], from a strong Clifton female line which includes Ballad Of Reading as his third dam – the family of Lady Windermere and Olympic Flag. Lot 156 is a half-brother to five winners, with nine wins between them.

Just As Well has a top pedigree, race record and athletic looks to match, he is by A.P Indy out of Nureyev Gr1 winning mare No Matter What, from the immediate damline of sires’ Raven’s Pass and E Dubai.

His half-sister Rainbow View is a Gr1 winner, whilst his half-brother Utley won a Gr2 last year.

Just As Well raced over four seasons and travelled extensively to race in the USA, Japan and Canada. He had four wins and 11 places, amassing $859,582 in stakes won.

His winning races included the Gr1 Northern Dancer Breeders Cup over 2400m, however he was put back into second place after a court ruled six months later for interference.

Just As Well also took home the Gr3 Arlington Handicap over 2000m as well placing second in this race previously. His places include the Gr2 Dixie Stakes over 1800m and the Gr1 Arlington Million, the Gr1 Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Handicap over 1800m.

Just As Well has been Equinome Speed Gene tested, returning as a C:T; meaning his progeny should specialise as Sprinter-milers.

Well done to all concerned.