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Artax - Fastest Horse in the World
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Price: $19.95
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 When
the field for the 1999 Breeders' Cup Sprint was loaded into
the gate, announcer Tom Durkin, the voice of the Breeders'Cup
proclaimed 'this is the race which will determine the fastest
horse in the world.' When the final time of 1:07 4/5ths flashed
on the board - equalling Mr. Prospector's 27 year old track
record, the words took on special meaning.
1999 Eclipse Champion Sprinter Artax was a standout from square
one. Offered for sale as a weanling at Fasig-Tipton, Artax
caught the eye of two of the most astute horsemen in the business,
"Buzz" Chace of Unbridled's Song fame and Irish
pinhooker Bobby Barry. Buzz Chace purchased Artax on behalf
of owner Ernie Paragallo. From the first crop of Juddmonte-raced
Marquetry, sire of two Breeders' Cup winners, Artax sold for
16 times his sire's stud fee.
A superior two year old, Artax began his career in spectacular
fashion breaking his maiden by over 9 lengths going a mile
and a sixteenth. Trained by Wayne Lukas protege, Randy Bradshaw,
Bradshaw was convinced he had a two-turn Classic prospect
in Artax. Never off the board at two, Artax ran second in
the Grade 1 mile and a sixteenth Hollywood Futurity to Real
Quiet. It is interesting to note that the race contained
two eventual Eclipse award winners in Artax and Real Quiet.
Real Quiet's Beyer speed figure in the Hollywood Futurity
was the highest two year old Beyer of any Kentucky Derby
winner to date.
As a three year old, Artax factored prominently into the
Classic picture. In the 1 1/16th mile Santa Catalina Stakes
(G3), Artax dominated with a 5 and a half length victory
over Sounvenir Copy and Ladies Din. In the West Coast Derby
prep, the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, Artax turned
the tables and defeated eventual Kentucky Derby Champion
Real Quiet. Artax's time for the mile and a sixteenth was
an impressive 1:41 and change. In the final west coast Derby
prep, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Artax ran third to
Kentucky Derby favorite Indian Charlie and to Kentucky Derby
winner Real Quiet. Artax ended his three year old campaign
with a runner-up performance in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes,
defeating millionaire Event of the Year.
An Eclipse Champion Sprinter, at 4, Artax changed trainers
and changed running styles. He went from a solid Classic
two-turn horse to one of the best sprinters of all time.
A winner of 3 Grade 1 sprints at 4, Artax captured the Breeders'
Cup Sprint (G1), the Vosburgh (G1) and the Carter (G1).
His four year old campaign saw him in competition with the
best sprinters of his generation including Kona Gold, Affirmed
Success, Yes It's True, Big Jag, Stravinsky, Forestry, Intidab,
etc.. Artax's track records put his performances into an
historical perspective, in essence competing against three
of the fastest sprinters of all time, namely, Mr. Prospector,
Dr. Fager and Groovy. In the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Artax
equalled Mr. Prospector's 27 year old track record of 1:07
4/5ths for 6 furlongs. In the Carter, he broke Dr. Fager's
32 year old track record for 7 furlongs, stopping the clock
in 1:20 flat. Artax's record breaking performance in the
Forest Hills, (6f - 1:07 3/5) prompted track announcer Tom
Durkin to proclaim "he's faster than Groovy".
Mr. Prospector, Dr. Fager and Groovy, three of the most
acclaimed sprinters of modern times - now are joined in
the annals of racing history by Eclipse Champion Artax.
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