With Patriarch in Mind, Dell Ridge Rolls On

When Frank Justice died in February of 2012 at the age of 79, the farm he founded with his wife Mattie, Dell Ridge Farm, was, to outsiders at least, seemingly at a crossroads. But for Mattie Justice and the couple’s children–sons Frank II and Jason and daughters Bridget and Karla Corbin–there was no question that they’d keep the commercial running as usual. 
“For Mr. Justice, and for his memory,” explained Dell Ridge manager Des Ryan. 
The results at this week’s Keeneland November Sale are both evidence of, and a testament to, the enduring foundation that Frank Justice laid at Dell Ridge, and are a strong indication that Dell Ridge will indeed be a major player in the business for years to come. 
On Tuesday, the Tapit–Serena’s Cat filly that Dell Ridge bred in partnership with Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm sold for a North American record $3 million. Bridlewood Farm purchased the great-granddaugher of Serena’s Song (Rahy). 
On the same day, another Dell Ridge/Hill ‘n’ Dale horse, a Medaglia d’Oro full-sister to GISW Violence, became November’s co-second-highest weanling at $850,000. Richard O’Gorman signed for that filly. 
One of yesterday’s highest-priced horses, meanwhile, was the $350,000 broodmare Harriet (Hard Spun), who Dell Ridge bred and sold as a young filly. 
“It’s a real tip of the hat to Mr. Justice, and Mrs. Justice was just absolutely thrilled with the results,” said Ryan. “She was a bit under the weather and wasn’t able to attend, but she watched all the action from home, and it brought back some great memories for her.” 
Frank Justice had deep Kentucky roots, but not in horse racing. Born in Pike County during the Great Depression, he was a prolific and astute businessman. According to the Pikeville Medical Leader, he founded and operated a dizzying array of enterprises: the Justice Shoe Store, Mari Dru Shop, Jerry’s Restaurant, Velocity Market, Long John Silvers, Mac Mining, Mac Coal Sales, and Frank Justice Furniture. Justice was also involved in local politics, serving Pikeville as a city commissioner. 
In 1998, Justice formed Dell Ridge Farm near Lexington. As was his wont, Justice threw his full resources behind it. With Ryan on from the beginning, Dell Ridge built up a small-but-select broodmare band with an aim on breeding commercially. 
“We tried to pick up well-bred fillies as foals or yearlings each year, race them, and then bring them back to the broodmare band,” said Ryan, a native of Co. Kildare, Ireland, who came to the U.S. in 1990 after completing the Irish National Stud course and working in Australia and France. 
One early Dell Ridge acquisition was the record Tapit weanling’s dam Serena’s Cat (Storm Cat), herself a $1.4 million weanling filly at the 2003 Keeneland November Sale. A fleet-footed turf sprinter, Serena’s Cat earned her biggest win in the 2007 Klassy Briefcase S. at Monmouth for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, but her value would always be in the breeding shed. 
Serena’s Cat’s first foal Noble Tune (Unbridled’s Song) won the GII American Turf S. and placed second in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and her second, J “TDN Rising Star” J Honor Code (Bernardini), won last year’s GII Remsen S. for Dell Ridge and co-owner Lane’s End Racing. 
“Frank was very proud of Serena’s Cat–she was a gem, you know?” said Ryan. “Every time she had a foal he would go down and spend time with them.” 
Dell Ridge sold an interest in Serena’s Cat to Hill ‘n’ Dale’s John Sikura in 2012, but retained full ownership of Serena Cat’s foal from that year, the current 2-year-old Lady Serena (Bernardini). That one debuted with Chad Brown at Saratoga in August, running fourth. 
“She had a small setback and we brought her to the farm for 60 days, but she’s heading back this week to Chad at Palm Meadows,” said Ryan. 
Dell Ridge’s other big star from this week–the $850,000 Medaglia d’Oro–Violent Beauty filly, came from another big investment. 
Just a year after its inception, Dell Ridge paid $1.2 million for Storming Beauty (Storm Cat), a daughter of champion Sky Beauty (Blushing Groom {Fr}), at the 1999 Keeneland September Sale. Storming Beauty was a winner on the track and looked to have a bright future as a broodmare, but she produced only four foals before her untimely death. Her first foal, Violent Beauty, has carried on the family legacy, however, producing the 2012 GI CashCall Futurity S. winner Violence. 
Like with Serena’s Cat, Dell Ridge sold an interest in Violent Beauty to Hill ‘n’ Dale in 2012. Both of the mares’ 2014 weanlings were raised at Dell Ridge. 
Asked about selling at November, Ryan said, “Johnny Sikura suggested we try the foals in this market, and we all sat down with Frank Jr. and the family, and we decided to go ahead and do it. It was a smart commercial decision. The market’s good right now, and you take a lot of risk out of it [by selling as a weanling].” 
Ryan agreed it could be a developing trend. “I couldn’t see why not,” he said. “This went to prove that there is still plenty of money there for a weanling.” 
That isn’t to say that Ryan and the Dell Ridge principals aren’t already looking forward to next year’s yearling sales. Entrants could include the first foal from Dell Ridge homebred Kid Kate (Lemon Drop Kid), a MSW & MGSP runner who had a Medaglia d’Oro colt this spring. A Union Rags half to Kid Kate might also be offered, as might a Bodemeister half-sister to the Dell Ridge-bred Grade I winner Morning Line (Tiznow). 
Others include a Candy Ride (Arg) filly from SW Giant Mover (Giant’s Causeway), who Dell Ridge acquired for $350,000 from the Ned Evans dispersal in 2011. 
“The farm’s going on the same was as it was,” said Ryan. “The family still has tremendous interest in the farm, and they’ve wanted to stick with quality. Mr. Justice spent years building up his broodmare band, and we’re seeing the results of it.”