Lead Artist Grinds Out Win in Newmarket's Darley Stakes

Juddmonte's Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Obligate {GB}, by Frankel {GB}), runner-up to the revitalised Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in last month's G2 Park Stakes at Doncaster, added to his G3 Thoroughbred Stakes victory at Goodwood in August with a determined effort in Saturday's G3 Space Blues Darley Stakes at Newmarket.

The John and Thady Gosden trainee, who was the sole 3-year-old in this straight nine-furlong test, tracked the leaders in a handy fourth through the initial fractions of this first attempt beyond the one-mile trip. Making headway under pressure to launch his challenge at the quarter-mile marker, the 3-1 second favourite seized control approaching the final furlong and was ridden out on the climb to assert by 1 1/2 lengths from Liberty Lane (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Lead Artist's stablemate Peace Man (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who was coming back off a 470-day break, kept on well to finish 2 1/4 lengths adrift in third.

Pedigree Notes
Lead Artist is the first of four, and one of two surviving, foals thrown by G2 Prix de Sandringham victrix and G1 Prix Rothschild third Obligate (GB) (Frankel {GB}), herself a granddaughter of storied blue hen Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is full to a weanling filly. Hasili's honour roll includes a quintet of elite-level winners, namely Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill), Cacique (Ire) (Danehill), Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill), Champs Elysees (GB) (Danehill) and Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert). She is also the dam of the Group 1-placed duo Dansili (GB) (Danehill) and Deluxe (Storm Cat).

“He's always been a nice colt that we felt could be high class,” said racing manager Barry Mahon. “We bumped into Kinross last time, which was no mean feat, and he proved he is still a good horse when he was second at Longchamp in the Foret. I think he will continue to progress, a mile-and-a-quarter will be within his compass and some better ground will be a bit more favourable. It gives us plenty of options.”

John Gosden added, “He's done everything right and he came second to a very good horse, who is a multiple Group 1 winner, at Doncaster last time. He's done it well, he's beaten the Cambridgeshire winner and it was a solid race. The ground was slightly on the testing side, but it was good and for this time of year we're lucky to have it. I'm delighted for the winner and the other horse of ours, Peace Man, has been off for a year and has come back and finished third, so that was good. I think the door is open now to probably go a mile-and-a-quarter with him next year. He has been slow to come to himself, but he has improved dramatically, both physically and mentally, and I think next year will be an exciting time for him.”

Promising colt 💚🤍🩷

The progressive Lead Artist sees off market leader Liberty Lane in the Group 3 @DarleyStallions Stakes.

A colt with top-level aspirations for next season?@KShoemark | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/lCQvMqA6j7

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 12, 2024

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
SPACE BLUES DARLEY STAKES-G3, £85,000, Newmarket, 10-12, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:52.40, g/s.
1–LEAD ARTIST (GB), 130, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Obligate (GB) (GSW & G1SP-Fr, $167,084), by Frankel (GB)
2nd Dam: Responsible (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
3rd Dam: Hasili (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Kieran Shoemark. £48,204. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-1, $212,628. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Liberty Lane (Ire), 131, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–Cape Liberty (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Karl Burke. £18,275.
3–Peace Man (GB), 131, g, 5, Kingman (GB)–Peacehaven (Ire), by Rip Van Winkle (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-John E Rose; B-Manor Farm Stud & John E Rose (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £9,146.
Margins: 1HF, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 3.00, 1.25, 20.00.
Also Ran: Ancient Rome, The Foxes (Ire), Savvy Victory (Ire), Spirit Dancer (GB), Al Mubhir (GB). Scratched: Skellet (Ire).