Artorius earned himself a shot at another European Group 1 with his July Cup third placing with the colt to contest a Group 1 in France next month.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained stable confirmed via twitter on Monday morning that Artorius would contest the Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest (1300m) at Deauville on August 7.
The three-year-old son of Flying Artie has come out of the July Cup well, when he was beaten two lengths by Alcohol Free, with Anthony and Sam Freedman delighted with the way he performed under 59.5kg.
“After another terrific performance in Saturday’s July Cup, where he placed third, Artorius will remain in Europe for a tilt at the Group 1 Prix Maurice De Gheest (1300m) at Deauville on August 7,” the Freedman stable said.
“We are super proud of the horse, having to carry top weight against the older horses.”
The July Cup made it two Group 1 third placings from as many starts in Europe for Artorius, who dead-heated for the minor placing in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot last month.
The weekend saw Artorius split the two horses who beat him home in the Platinum Jubilee with Naval Crown finishing runner-up and Creative Force in fourth position.
After his trip to France, Artorius will quarantine before heading home for a spring campaign where the $15 million The Everest (1200m) on October 15 and $8 million Golden Eagle (1500m) two weeks later have been slated as target races.
