Flying Artie stamped himself
as Australia's star 3-year-old colt by winning a vintage renewal of the Group 1
VRC Coolmore Stakes (1200m) against a star-studded field providing a glowing endorsement for his sire Artie Schiller (USA), who is standing for the first time at Emirates Park in the Hunter Valley this spring having previously shuttled to Victoria.
One of eight outstanding
colts to take their place in Australia's most coveted 3-year-old sprint, Flying
Artie turned in a performance of the utmost class. Asked to stalk his rivals
until the final 400 metres of the contest, the handsome son of Emirates Park
shuttle sire Artie Schiller (USA) burst through the field with an exceptional
display of acceleration before going on to land the much sought-after event by
a clear-cut one and a quarter lengths winning margin.
Illustrating the depth of
Flying Artie's maiden Group 1 victory is the outstanding quality of star
3-year-olds left in his wake. Finishing in arrears in the Coolmore were this
season's Group 1 winners Astern (ATC Golden Rose) and Extreme Choice (MVRC Moir
Stakes), as well as the winners of the very recent Group 2 MRC Schillaci Stakes
(Star Turn), Group 2 ATC Roman Consul Stakes (Russian Revolution) and Group 2
VRC Danehill Stakes (Saracino).
After Flying Artie's
emphatic success, winning jockey Hugh Bowman described the son of Artie
Schiller as a "beautiful horse".
"He's only going to
improve as he matures," Bowman continued. "He's the real deal physically, but I
think mentally he appreciated just being able to be snugged-in behind them and
being exposed late. It was a dominant win and it spells very exciting things
for the future because that was a very strong race."
Bowman added: "It was
dynamic… he showed everyone what he's obviously been showing the stable at
home."
Successful trainer Mick
Price was as calculated as ever with his post-race views. "The horse has always
been a good horse," Price observed, "and he's had excuses [when beaten in the
past], especially in the Blue Diamond. Today just franks him as a stud colt and
I couldn't be happier."
Flying Artie became Artie Schiller's second Group 1 3-year-old winner in Australia and fourth Group/Grade 1 winner worldwide. The colt's six starts to date have now taken his earnings to well in excess of $1.2 million, his race record now including one Group 1 victory and two Group 1 placings, as well as a further two Group 3 successes.
Artie Schiller stands at a fee of $22,000.
News from Emirates Park
