By Sean Cronin
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).
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
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