The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is more than a week away, but Sam Freedman has already seen enough to know that the four-year-old has shown the benefit of last year’s trip.
The son of Flying Artie has been at Newmarket since Thursday night last week and has already reclaimed the weight he lost on the flight over.
That is just one of the reasons Freedman and his co-trainer, father Anthony, are convinced Artorius is better-equipped than last year, when he dead-heated for third in the 1207-metre Group 1 that was then known as the Platinum Jubilee Stakes.
“He only lost 4kg on the flight, whereas last year he lost 9kg, and he has put on 6 or 7kg since he arrived in Newmarket last Thursday night, he is thriving,” Freedman said.
“He is definitely stronger than last year and has come back a better horse.
“I am a bit more relaxed than last year and not under as much pressure. He is a lot shorter in the market and there is a bit more expectation, but last year it was the unknown and whether he was going to measure up. This year, we know he is good enough.”
Artorius will have his most serious gallop since landing in England on Friday morning, UK time, when he reacquaints himself with the Ascot straight just over a week out from next Saturday’s race.
“He had a little blow on the watered gallop on Tuesday morning – not a lot, just quickening up a furlong – and tomorrow morning he will do his main bit of work at Ascot. That is the plan eight days out,” Freedman said.
The 2021 Blue Diamond winner added a second Group 1 to his resume in between England trips, winning the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) in March this year, and is favourite over Hong Kong star Wellington, who Freedman considers the horse to beat.
“If you look at the form, he looks to be the horse with the best credentials,” Freedman said of Artorius.
“Wellington has good form in Hong Kong, and we would consider him a danger, but I think our horse has improved into his four-year-old season.”
Jamie Spencer rode Artorius at Royal Ascot last year but James Mcdonald has been booked for this year’s assignment.
