Artorius returns from his European sojourn to contest Saturday's $600,000 Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick and attempt to put a race in the win column for the first time since defeating Ingratiating and Anamoe in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes two years ago.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 4yo has placed in four Group 1s since his career-defining win. What a quartet they are; Caulfield Guineas, Coolmore Stud Stakes, Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, and July Cup at Newmarket.
The son of Flying Artie lines up against the rampaging New Zealander Imperatriz in the Canterbury Stakes. The 4yo daughter of I Am Invincible has won all three starts since a spell, including a four-and-a-half-length romp at her most recent start in the Group 1 Waikato Sprint.
Artorius comes from the first crop of Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Flying Artie. After covering 201 mares in 2021, the son of Artie Schiller (USA) covered just 40 last spring.
Bred by Greg Perry, Artorius was a $120,000 purchase for Anthony Freedman Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the unraced Redoute's Choice mare Gracie's Lass.
Tom Magnier shelled out $1,400,000 for a Written Tycoon half-brother to Artorius from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He has been named Oistrach and is in training with Chris Waller.
Also bred by Perry, Gracie's Lass is a half-sister to the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal) from the stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Grace And Power (USA). Runner-up in the Grade 1 Hollywood Park Starlet Stakes, Grace And Power was a $700,000 purchase for the late Steve Brem on behalf of Perry at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton January Mixed Sale.
Grace and Power (USA) is a descendent of the incomparable La Troienne through her great-granddaughter Priceless Gem (Hail To Reason).
A top-class racemare, Priceless Gem is a sister to Admiring, the dam of Glowing Tribute (Graustark), the dam of 1993 Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero (Polish Navy) and multiple Grade I winner Hero's Honor (by Northern Dancer) on the way to being honoured as the 1993 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
Priceless Gem is also a half-sister to the champion Affectionately (Swaps), dam of 1970 American Horse of the Year Personality (Hail to Reason).
Priceless Gem did not let the family down at stud. She produced an all-time great in Allez France (Sea Bird), while her unraced son Noble Bijou (Vaguely Noble) was a four-time champion sire in New Zealand and 5-time Champion Broodmare sire.
