Royal Ascot tilt on the cards for boom colt Artorius, Diamond Jubilee, July Cup

Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman are open to travelling 2021 Blue Diamond winner Artorius to England later in the year for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes and then July Cup at Newmarket.

Artorius, who flashed into sixth in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap last Saturday at Flemington, was among the only horses to make ground on the seemingly slower grandstand side of the track.

The three-year-old Flying Artie colt placed in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring behind Royal Ascot-bound Home Affairs.

Newgate acquired a majority interest in future stallion prospect Artorius after his Blue Diamond win.

“He’s obviously a horse that oozes talent and raw ability,” Field said.

“There is a train of thought that giving him a trip away might season him and turn him from a horse that‘s doing plenty wrong but has incredible talent levels to a horse that’s the full package.

“The buck stops with Anthony and Sam and we‘ll be supportive of decisions they make as far as travelling, I certainly respect, understand and like the way they’re thinking.”

Australian sprinters boast a tremendous Diamond Jubilee record, with past winners including Choisir (2003), Starspangledbanner (2010), Black Caviar (2012) and Merchant Navy (2018).

“On his Newmarket (Handicap) run and his Australian form, putting a line through horses that have historically gone there should make him very competitive (Royal Ascot),” Field said.

“We‘ve seen horses like Star Witness and Merchant Navy come off pretty similar Newmarket runs and gone to England and run to a very high level.

“I think from a raw talent perspective he‘s a horse that’s every bit as good as them, if not better if he can put it all together.”

Originally published as Royal Ascot tilt on the cards for boom colt Artorius