Unbeaten Justifier gives Free Eagle a breakthrough stakes winner at Tipperary

Free Eagle became the latest first-season sire to bag a black type winner when his son Justifier maintained his unbeaten record in the Listed Coolmore Caravaggio Stakes at Tipperary on Sunday.

The colt made a winning debut in comfortable style at Leopardstown in June and, having delivered his challenge towards the near side, readily saw off the attentions of Harpocrates by a length and a half to land the prize. The pair pulled three and three-quarter lengths clear of the remainder.

View full result and replay

The result capped a fruitful weekend for trainer Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane, who landed their maiden domestic Group 1 when the unbeaten Siskin took out the Phoenix Stakes on Friday.

Justifier is one of 87 foals Free Eagle sired in his first crop, a group that includes four other winners. Among the well-bred youngsters still to be unleashed are siblings to the likes of Barney Roy (a colt named Thames River); Daban (unnamed filly); Penitent and Supplicant (Proclaimer, colt); and Contributer (Grudge, filly).

The son of High Chaparral joined the stallion ranks at the Irish National Stud in 2016, when he was introduced at a fee of £20,000. He won three times while in training with Dermot Weld for owner-breeder Moyglare Stud, most notably landing the 2015 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, Justifier is the fourth produce of Pale Orchid, a daughter of the Irish National Stud stalwart Invincible Spirit. Pale Orchid is out of Chelsea Rose, winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes and also the dam of St Leger and Grand Prix de Paris hero Kew Gardens.

Despite being out of a Group 1 winner and being by one of the highest-achieving stallions of his generation, the O'Callaghans of Tally-Ho were able to purchase Pale Orchid for a mere €26,000 at the 2011 Goffs Open Yearling Sale.

Pale Orchid won five races and retired with a peak Racing Post Rating of 95, and has developed into an even more talented producer.

Her first foal is Sir Prancealot's smart five-time winner Goodwood Crusader, while her third is the progressive handicapper Ballistic, who is by Tally-Ho's flag bearer Kodiac.

She has been mated exclusively with Tally-Ho stallions since producing Justifier, who was signed for by Gaelic Bloodstock at €60,000 at last year's Orby Sale. The mare has a Mehmas yearling filly and a filly foal by Galileo Gold on the ground.

More first-season sire news:

Golden Horn sires debut Group winner as West End Girl steals Sweet Solera show

First stakes winner for Hot Streak as Flaming Princess scores in Deauville

Cable Bay given green light to shuttle to Woodside Park Stud in Australia