Blue Diamond Under Consideration for Flying Artie's Artorius

Mark Smith - Saturday January 23

Minutes after the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Extreme Choice colt Stay Inside made an explosive debut at Randwick, Anthony and Sam Freedman countered with the Flying Artie colt Artorius who came with a barnstorming finish from the rear of the field to open his winning account over 1300m at Sandown-Hillside.

See ya later - Artorius puts a space on them (George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos)

At his career debut, Artorius looked to be fairly outpointed when second to the Manhattan Rain colt Jigsaw who was made a Breednet One To Watch at Geelong on January 7.

The son of Flying Artie took plenty away from that experience. Given a patient ride by Mark Zahra, Artorius launched down the centre of the track to win running away by four and a half lengths from Foxplay’s three-quarter brother El Rocko (Fastnet Rock).

Godolphin’s Shooting To Win filly Picarones shouldered her topweight into third place, a nose behind El Rocko.

Sam Freedman said the stable would consider freshening Artorius up for the Blue Diamond Stakes. The Group 1 feature at Caulfield was won in 2016 by Extreme Choice from stablemate Flying Artie.

“He took some necessary steps forward from his first run where he was very green and eaw and did not know what he was doing,” Sam Freedman said.

“Our horses tend to improve as they get deeper into their two-year-old campaign. The 1300m suited and he showed a very good turn of foot.

“He is bombproof and very straightforward, almost a little too relaxed.

“First-up he was on and off the bridle, so I think to get him to switch on a little more and have some competitive gallops with him in between runs to teach him whats it all about to hit the front and stay in front.

Advertisement

“He still had a good gaze there and will take further improvement off that.

Artorius a $120,000 Magic Millions yearling

“We will just have to work out where we go – whether we head towards the Blue Diamond although I’m not sure about the 1200m. he might be more of a 1400m horse, but he won so well there we might have to give it some thought.”

Bred by Greg Perry, Artorius was purchased by Anthony Freedman Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) for $120,000 out of the Vinery Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is the second winner from as many to race out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Gracie’s Lass.

Also bred by Perry, Gracie’s Lass is a half-sister to the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal) out of the stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare         Grace And Power (USA) who was runner-up in the Grade 1 Hollywood Park Starlet Stakes.

Gracie’s Lass has a colt foal by Written Tycoon and was covered by Deep Field last spring.

Artorius becomes the fourth first-crop winner for Flying Artie. The Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes hero looks to be in a personal battle with his Newgate Farm stablemates Extreme Choice and Capitalist as they try to chase down Shalaa (IRE) for Champion first Crop Sire honours.

Flying Artie

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Switch Hcp 1300m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:17.90
1
Artorius
- 2c Flying Artie (AUS) x Gracie's Lass (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 57.5
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $350,000
Seller: Vinery Stud, Scone
Buyer: Aramco Racing Pty Ltd
2
4.5
El Rocko
- 2c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Butters (USA) (El Prado (IRE))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: J Mott 57.5
3
4.6
Picarones
- 2f Shooting To Win (AUS) x Anise (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: D Oliver 59
4
5.3
Pounding
- 2c Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Silent Entrance (GB) (Beat Hollow (GB))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 57
5
6.1
Tatsuro
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Sister Souss (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Damian Lane 57
6
6.8
Sunfall
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Queen Of The Falls (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M J Dee 58
7
7.1
That Contageous
- 2c Lonhro (AUS) x Glowing Tribute (AUS) (Zeditave (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: L Currie 57.5
8
8.9
Shadowheart
- 2c Stratum Star (AUS) x Bisutti (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Jamie Kah 57.5
9
9.1
Madame Solario
- 2f Needs Further (AUS) x Pas De Retraite (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: Jordan Childs 55.5
10
9.8
Awesome Spirit
- 2c Phenomenons (AUS) x Mythical Spirit (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Calthorpe Rdr: Patrick Moloney 57
More Reading...
Cool Aza Beel Strikes Again
Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday.
Inglis Internship applications open
An opportunity to work with Australia’s most progressive thoroughbred auction house has become available through the renowned Inglis Internship program.
French Derby Winner for Wootton Bassett
The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Spring Goals for Progressive Per Incanto
Spring stakes assignments are in the crosshairs for exciting gelding Twain following his victory in the Waihou Tavern (1150m) at Te Aroha on Monday.
Brendan Lindsay honoured - Knights of the Cambridge Stud roundtable
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to business and philanthropy.
Best On Breeding
There will be stakes action in four states on Saturday led by the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield and the return of some of last seasons most accomplished two-year-olds.
Familiar Faces Win $100,000 Jumps Features at Sandown
Jumps racing took centre stage at Sandown on Sunday with some familiar colours and faces winning both the $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m) and the $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3900m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 1
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pony Racing Series Finals This Saturday
The excitement is building as the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Finals prepare to take centre stage at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday, 7 June, showcasing the nation's most promising young riders and their ponies.
Williams honoured with Damehood
Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.