Freedman proud of ‘super’ Artorius

Sam Freedman has described the run of Artorius as super after his colt dead-heated for third in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Sunday morning.

Freedman and connections were seen very proud after Artorius went down by half a length to Godolphin duo Naval Crown and Creative Force, despite not enduring the clearest of passages in the closing stages under Jamie Spencer.

The son of Flying Artie appeared to be the first horse under pressure in the 1200 metre contest but in trademark fashion was closing strongly.

“You need a little bit of luck and he copped a little bit of a bump at the 150 (metres) but Jamie said he described it like a rat up and drain pipe,” co-trainer Sam Freedman said, who trains the colt in partnership with father Anthony.

“There was barely a gap there and he poked his head through.

“He’s ran an absolute blinder.

“We thought he was going very well.”

Artorius dead-heated for third with American sprinter Campanelle while Home Affairs faded from on-speed to finish 20th in the 24 horse contest.

It was the first time the Freedman family had traveled a horse to Royal Ascot since 2007 when Lee Freedman trained Miss Andretti to win the King’s Stand Stakes and backed up to finish 15th in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes.

While Black Caviar and Choisir are the only two Australian winners of the race, Artorius joins Takeover Target, Star Witness and Brazen Beau in place getters of the Group 1 sprint.