Freedman colt Artorius settles for third in Group One July Cup
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius added yet another G1 placing to his resume, when running on in vintage fashion to place in the July Cup at Newmarket.
Once again, Artorius (4-1) couldn’t get past Godolphin colt Naval Crown (8-1) - who won the G1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot - but it was the Andrew Balding-trained Alcohol Free (14-1) who in turn denied the Blue Army at Newmarket by 1.5 lengths to claim the feature sprint.
Artorius was a further half-length back in third, hitting the line strongly yet again under jockey Jamie Spencer.
The son of Flying Artie has now got four Group One placings to his name - the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Caulfield Guineas plus his two UK efforts - to go with his success at the top level as a 2YO in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Meanwhile, for 4YO filly Alcohol Free it was her fourth G1 success at career start No.14, having also won over a mile at the top level in the Sussex Stakes and has now stepped back to win at the elite level against the boys over 1200m.
Alcohol Free had finished ninth in the Platinum Jubilee last start, but turned the tables on Naval Crown and Artorius in fine style under jockey Rob Hornby.
Co-trainer Sam Freedman said post-race: "He's actually a 3YO getting weighted as a 4YO. That's a tall order in itself, it's hard enough to take them on with weight relief.
"There's every chance we come back next year as a 4YO, he'll be weighted a little bit better.
"He just needs them [the leaders] to come back a little bit to him, and today it's probably not been the easiest thing to do, to make a lot of ground."
An INCREDIBLE 24 hours for @rob_hornby18! ðŸ‘ÂÂ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 9, 2022
Fresh from success aboard Prosperous Voyage in the Falmouth Stakes yesterday, the in-form rider guides Alcohol Free to victory in the Darley July Cup at @NewmarketRace ðŸÂ†@AndrewBalding2 pic.twitter.com/jQTpVkv4yO
Sam Freedman speaks to the media following another great run by ARTORIUS in the Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket @RadioTABAus @FreedmanRacing @NewgateFarm @Chinahorseclub pic.twitter.com/QcYqW95QII
— Hawks71 (@ABHawks1) July 9, 2022
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