By Elaine Belval.
In 2013, it seems as if it has been Kitten’s Joy’s world and the rest of the stallion population is just living in it. However, another son of El Prado—Artie Schiller—has been making some noise in the last few weeks.
On September 14, in just her first start, My Conquestadory won the eight-furlong G2 Summer S. over colts on the turf at Woodbine for owner Conquest Stables, breeder Paul Tackett, and trainer Mark Casse. Two weeks later, on October 4, she was back, winning the G1 Alcibiades S. at Keeneland at 8.5 furlongs on the Polytrack. The undefeated filly is scheduled to contest the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on November 1.
The day after My Conquestadory won Keeneland’s flagship race for 2yo fillies, We Miss Artie won the same track’s major 2yo race, the G1 Breeders’ Futurity, for owner Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, breeder Richard Lister, and trainer Todd Pletcher. The colt has two wins and a second in four lifetime starts and is entered in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 2.
As if that weren’t enough, Miss Machiavelli won the eight-furlong (turf) Pike Place Dancer S. at Golden Gate Fields for owner Big Chief Racing, breeders Shane Doyle and Penny McCarthy, and trainer Keith Desormeaux on October 26. It was Miss Machiavelli’s second victory in four starts, after breaking her maiden on the Polytrack at Del Mar.
Earlier this summer, another two-year-old of Artie Schiller’s, Hop the Six, won the 5.5 furlong White Clay Creek S. at Delaware Park.
Artie Schiller has seven two-year-0ld winners in 2013, and four are stakes winners.
Artie Schiller was a precocious sort himself, winning two of five starts at two and finishing second in the Pilgrim S. At three, he won five of eight starts and set a course record in the nine-furlong, G2 Jamaica H. At four, he won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, defeating champion Leroidesanimaux. In all, Artie Schiller won 10 of 22 starts and placed in eight others, earning over $2 million. He did everything but win a championship in his four seasons of racing.
Artie Schiller’s female family is one of the best in the business, tracing to the elite mare Frizette through the mare Legato. His dam Hidden Light won two G1s—the Santa Anita Oaks and Hollywood Oaks. This is also the family of Horse of the Year Ferdinand.
Artie Schiller went to stud in 2007 for a modest $15,000 and proved popular, with almost 100 named foals. His first crop included five SWs, though only one of these—Anne’s Beauty—achieved that success at two. G2 winner Mr. Commons is his leading runner from those first foals.
All told, Artie Schiller has 16 unrestricted SWs, 80% of which have won on turf and 25% on artificial surfaces. He has eight male and eight female SWs.
With four two-year-old SWs already in his fourth crop, this may be his breakout year. Certainly it seems fair to suggest that bigger things can be expected from Artie Schiller, who now stands at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky.