Part-owner Wilf Mula is "ready for the phone to start ringing'' following talented colt Flying Artie's dominant win in the stallion-making Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington today.
Flying Artie beat up on his opposition in the much-hyped clash of Australia's star 3YO colts in a result that will guarantee his future as a valuable stud prospect.
Flying Artie (Artie Schiller x Flying Ruby) joins the likes of Northern Meteor, Star Witness, Zoustar and Brazen Beau as outstanding colts to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes before securing a position at Australia's leading studs.
"This was the big boom race, the race that was going to make the colt, and we've won it,'' a thrilled Mula, Aston Bloodstock Syndicate manager, said.
"The phone hasn't run yet but there was certainly no pre-race deal done. Nothing has been discussed and everything is an option for us at this stage.
"He's a great colt and he's now won the great colt's race. I can't believe it. What a thrill.''
The win was Flying Artie's first at Group 1 level and third overall from six outings, taking his earnings to $1,256,500.
Flying Artie is the third foal of the stakes-winning mare Flying Ruby, who also has a Helmet colt named Give and a yearling filly by Pierro.
The Pierro filly will be offered by Goodwood Farm at next year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, the same sale Paul Whelan bought Flying Artie at for $50,000 last year, also from the Goodwood Farm draft.
Whelan and his family retained part of the horse, with Mula also buying in for what has turned out to be an amazing ride in only a short time so far.
"Paul walked past him at Easter and told me we need to buy it and he asked me if I'd seen him and I was like 'yeah, from 50 yards away, but he looks good to me,'' Price said.
"He's never run a bad race in his life. He's now been placed in a Blue Diamond and a Golden Slipper and won a Coolmore. I think he might have an OK future off the track in time.''
Jockey Hugh Bowman settled Flying Artie last in the eight-horse field before sprinting powerfully to beat favourite Astern and Star Turn.
Price will wait to see how his valuable colt pulls up before deciding whether or not to back him up in next Saturday's $1million Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m).
Inglis Release
