| Artax | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Marquetry |
| Grandsire | Conquistador Cielo |
| Dam | Raging Apalachee |
| Damsire | Apalachee |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1995 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Dark Bay/Brown |
| Breeder | Vinery Stud & Carondelet Farm |
| Owner | Paraneck Stable |
| Trainer | Louis Albertrani |
| Record | 25: 7-9-3 |
| Earnings | US$1,685,840 |
| Major wins | |
|
Santa Catalina Stakes (1998) Breeders' Cup Sprint (1999) |
|
| Awards | |
| American Champion Sprint Horse (1999) | |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
| Last updated on June 20, 2010 | |
Artax (foaled 1995 in Kentucky) is a retired American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Artax then equaled the record for the Breeders' Cup Sprint set in 1973 [1] as well as the host Gulfstream Park track record that had stood for twenty-six years. [2] Artax was named for Atreyu's horse in the Neverending Story.
Prior to his November 6, 1999 Breeders' Cup win, on May 2 of that year Artax broke the Aqueduct track record for seven furlongs which had stood since 1968 in winning the Carter Handicap. [3] In addition, on October 16 he set a new track record for six furlongs at Belmont Park that had stood since 1987. [4]
During the 1999 running of the Maryland Breeders' Cup, an inebriated man (Lee Chang Ferrell) walked under the rail at Pimlico Racecourse on Preakness Day and stood in front of the field. As Artax came by, he attempted to hit him and the horse moved over several paths, making contact with other horses and wrenching his ankle. Ferrell was not injured. All betting money on the horse, who was the 4/5 favorite, was refunded.[5]
Artax was retired to stud in 2000 and currently stands at the Diamond G Ranch in Edmond, Oklahoma for a fee of $2,000. His most notable offspring is Diabolical, winner of the Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap.[6]