Headed back to Royal Ascot for a second crack at the Group I Platinum Jubilee Stakes, dual Group I winning sprinter Artorius is an admirable flagbearer for graduates of Vinery Stud, who will offer his half-brother at Inglis Easter next week.
A brilliant winner of the Group I MRC Blue Diamond at two, Artorius has developed into a powerhouse four year-old stallion winning the Group I ATC Canterbury Stakes beating New Zealand trained champion sprint queen Imperatriz.
His half-brother will be offered as Lot 153 and is a strongly built Deep Field colt from Gracie’s Lass, an unraced half-sister by Redoute’s Choice to Group I VRC Darley Sprint Classic winner Delectation.
Gracie’s Lass has had two runners for two winners and her 2YO colt by Written Tycoon was a $1.4million yearling purchased in 2022 by Tom Magnier, who is now named Oistrach and is the stable of Chris Waller.
With Deep Field now pensioned from stud duties, his premium colts are going to be highly sought after and this colt will be among the best.
Another eye-catching colt in the draft is the lone Star Turn in the sale and Lot 78 is the fourth foal of Group I MRC Thousand Guineas winner Commanding Jewel, a three-quarter sister to Champion 3YO Filly Atlantic Jewel, the dam of Group I winner Russian Emperor.
Commanding Jewel is already the dam of good metro winner Patino Ruby and the family has also produced Group I winning sprinter I Am Excited.
Lot 227 is a stunning Zoustar colt with a pedigree packed with upside. He is the second foal from Group placed Snitzel mare Miles of Krishnan, a half-sister to Champion 2YO in NZ and Group I winner Il Quello Veloce and dual stakes-winner Donna Cattiva.
The family also features Group I winning sprinters Terravista and Tiger Tees and the first foal of the dam is Dancing Alone (3f I Am Invincible), who was purchased for $1.4million by Ellerslie Lodge and Bryce Heys and is highly promising, having won both of her two starts to date.
One of the most impressive winners last weekend was exciting 3YO colt What You Need, who kept his unbeaten record intact winning the $500,000 VRC Sunlight Classic and he is a close relation to Lot 327.
This athletic colt is from the first crop of Exceedance and is from Group III winning Northern Meteor mare Runway Star, a half-sister to What You Need from the family of dual Group I winner Wrap Around and Fashions Afield.
Vinery Stud sold fillies have been in the Black Type spotlight this season with stakes wins for English Riviera and A Very Fine Red, while last Saturday Roots took out the Group II ATC Emancipation Stakes.
Star fillies in the draft include:
Lot 37 I Am Invincible x Ballet Rose, by Exceed and Excel
She is the third foal from a winning Exceed and Excel half-sister to Group I winner King’s Rose (dam of Japanese G3 winner Satono Arthur) and Group II winner Hardham. Her half-sister Writrose is a two-time winner at three and her 2YO sister by the Autumn Sun is in training with Chris Waller.
Bred on the same cross as G3 winners Garibaldi, She’s So High and SW Ebhaar.
Lot 131 Filly I Am Invincible x Fast Fleet, by Fastnet Rock
Half-sister to five time Group I winning $8million earner Santa Ana Lane, the Champion Australian Sprinter of 2018-2019. Fast Fleet has produced 100% winners to runners with her 2YO colt by I am Invincible purchased by Ciaron Maher Racing and a Written Tycoon weanling colt to come.
Bred on the same cross as G3 winner Queen of the Ball and SW’s Jazz Etude and Fake Love.
Lot 240 Filly Exceedance x Miss Gunpowder, by Pendragon (NZ)
Second foal of Group II MRC Thousand Guineas Prelude winner Miss Gunpowder, a winner of over $550,000 and also multiple Group placed. The pedigree is packed with Black Type performers including Group I winner Absolut Glama also and Alphie’s Bet.
Her half-sister Miss Boom Boom (3f Snitzel), was purchased for $700,000 by Annabel Neasham and is now a winner and has been placed on three further occasions.
Click here to see the full Vinery Stud draft of 30 yearlings.
