Artax (horse)
Encyclopedia
Artax is a retired American Champion
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. Artax then equaled the record for the Breeders' Cup Sprint
set in 1973 as well as the host Gulfstream Park
track record that had stood for twenty-six years. 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
. In addition, on October 16 he set a new track record for six furlongs at Belmont Park
that had stood since 1987.
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.
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.
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. Artax then equaled the record for the Breeders' Cup Sprint
Breeders' Cup Sprint
The Breeders' Cup Sprint is an American Weight for Age Grade I Thoroughbred horse race for three year olds & up. Run on dirt over a distance of 6 Furlongs , the race has been held annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World...
set in 1973 as well as the host Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
track record that had stood for twenty-six years. 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
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
track record for seven furlongs which had stood since 1968 in winning the Carter Handicap
Carter Handicap
The Carter Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early April at Aqueduct Racetrack. Open to horses three-years-old and up, it is raced over a distance of seven furlongs....
. In addition, on October 16 he set a new track record for six furlongs at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
that had stood since 1987.
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.
Artax was retired to stud in 2000 and currently stands at the Diamond G Ranch in Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 81,405, making it the sixth largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
for a fee of $2,000. His most notable offspring is Diabolical, winner of the Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap.