Flying Artie always looked to have a strong three year-old crop to run for him this season and leading the charge is talented colt Sixties, who is his highest priced yearling ever sold and comes from a family very much on the up.
As a full brother to dual Group I winner Artorius, Sixties was a standout for his sire when offered in the Vinery Stud draft at Inglis Easter and he was duly snapped up by Aramco Racing for $350,000.
Sent to champion trainer Chris Waller, Sixties made swift progress last spring claiming a win in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty Quality over his glamour stablemate Autumn Boy and he resumed at Rosehill on Saturday.
Sent out in a Benchmark 88 event over 1200m against older rivals, Sixties have notice of better things to come when forging clear to win by a length and three-quarters for Zac Lloyd.
"He is just so versatile. He is a really serious colt," Waller said.
"The most exciting thing is where we head to next and he'll be heading towards a Group One race.
"Last prep was all about learning and getting confidence. It will be interesting to see what distance he can get to. I'd like to think he can get to an Australian Guineas."
Bred by Greg Perry and foaled and raised at Vinery, Sixties is the second stakes-winner among six winners from top producer Grace’s Lass, an unraced half-sister by Redoute’s Choice to Group I winner Delectation.
The current two year-old from Gracie’s Lass is another exciting stakes prospect in Home Affairs filly Jacaranda, who was bought by Tom Magnier from the Vinery draft at Inglis Easter last year for $300,000.
She won brilliantly on debut last month for the Lindsay Park team and is currently $15 for the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, a race also won by her older half-brother Artorius in 2021.
Vinery sold a Pinatubo (IRE) colt from Gracie’s Lass at Magic Millions last month for just $120,000 to Anthony Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock and she has a colt to follow by Pierata, then went to Toronado (IRE).
It’s a progressive family that has the potential for quite a bit to be happening this year, while Artorius has moved on with the next phase of his career at Newgate Farm and has yearlings selling in 2026.
Top seller for Artorius so far has been a colt from There You Go that made $220,000 at Magic Millions when bought by Anthony Freedman Racing/Julian Blaxland Bloodstock (FBAA)/Kids Foundation.
Flying Artie started off at Newgate and these days calls Blue Gum Farm in Victoria his home and breeders rallied to the value sire last spring.
Basking in the glory of siring Europe’s best sprinter in 2025 in Asfoora, Flying Artie was a popular pick with broodmare owners covering 96 mares at a fee of $11,000.
