Artaius

Artaius (26 February 1974 – 17 June 1998) was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from the autumn of 1976 until August 1977, he ran seven times and won three races. In 1977 he was one of the leading three-year-old colts in Europe, recording Group One successes in the Eclipse Stakes and Sussex Stakes. He was retired to stud at the end of the season and had limited success as a breeding stallion. Background Artaius was a bay horse bred in Kentucky by John Wesley Hanes II. His sire, Round Table was one of the most successful grass specialists in American racing history, winning forty-three races and being named American Horse of the Year in 1958. He became a highly successful breeding stallion, being the Leading sire in North America in 1972. His dam, Stylish Pattern was descended from the influential broodmare Molly Adare, whose others descendants included Brigadier Gerard and Vintage Crop. As a yearling, Artaius was offered for sale and bought for $110,000 by representatives of Mrs George Getty II. The colt was sent to Europe to be trained by Vincent O'Brien at Ballydoyle. He was ridden in most of his races by Lester Piggott. Racing career Artaius did not run until the autumn of 1976 when he finished second to Orchestra in the Group Two Beresford Stakes over one mile at the Curragh.