Artful (horse)
Encyclopedia
Artful was born at the Westbury Stable at Old Westbury on Long Island
into a prominent racing family begun in 1898 by William Collins Whitney. The Whitney family
remain to this day a leading name in the sport of Thoroughbred
horse racing.
Artful raced in the days when horses could be "declared" to win. This meant that if a stable entered more than one of its horses, it would announce beforehand which horse they expected to win the event. In both of Artful's first two starts at age two at Saratoga Race Course
(a track that William Collins Whitney had a hand in rejuvenating), her stablemate was declared to win against her. In the first of these races in August 1904 that horse was her stablemate Dreamer. In order to achieve this result, Artful had to be held back. Frank Brunnell of The Daily Racing Form hailed her as "a genuine crackerjack" who should have won both races with ease. On both occasions it was written that she was: "…hard held and close up throughout, finished as easily and probably could have won the race." Her second race was won by Princess Rupert.
These two "declared" races would be the only races Artful ever lost.
In her third "undeclared" race, the Futurity Stakes, Artful handed Sysonby
his only defeat by five lengths. Artful's victory was also over a field of exceptional strength (and said at the time to be the finest juvenile field ever assembled): the Canadian
champion Oiseau, the fillies and future classic winners Tanya
and Agile, and the unbeaten filly Tradition. Artful raced four days later in the winning the Great Filly Stakes. She then took the White Plains Handicap under 130 pounds, giving away 29 pounds to a colt named Dandelion, and setting a new track record of 1:08 for six furlong
s. That record stood for fifty years, only broken on a straight course and under a much lighter burden of 115 pounds.
William Whitney died in Artful's two-year-old season and his son, Harry Payne Whitney
, succeeded him.
In her three-year-old season, Artful won two sprints to prepare for the Brighton Handicap which she took "pulling up," (slowing down). She defeated, Beldame
as well as Delhi
, the 1904 winner of the Belmont Stakes
. Her last win was a quarter of a mile race.
As a broodmare, Artful did not reproduce herself. Her few foals were winners but not stakes winners. She died in 1927 at the age of twenty five.
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
into a prominent racing family begun in 1898 by William Collins Whitney. The Whitney family
Whitney family
The Whitney family is an American family notable for their social prominence, wealth, business enterprises and philanthropy, founded by John Whitney who came from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635.-Rise to prominence:...
remain to this day a leading name in the sport of 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...
horse racing.
Artful raced in the days when horses could be "declared" to win. This meant that if a stable entered more than one of its horses, it would announce beforehand which horse they expected to win the event. In both of Artful's first two starts at age two at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
(a track that William Collins Whitney had a hand in rejuvenating), her stablemate was declared to win against her. In the first of these races in August 1904 that horse was her stablemate Dreamer. In order to achieve this result, Artful had to be held back. Frank Brunnell of The Daily Racing Form hailed her as "a genuine crackerjack" who should have won both races with ease. On both occasions it was written that she was: "…hard held and close up throughout, finished as easily and probably could have won the race." Her second race was won by Princess Rupert.
These two "declared" races would be the only races Artful ever lost.
In her third "undeclared" race, the Futurity Stakes, Artful handed Sysonby
Sysonby
Sysonby was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He won every start easily, except one, at distances from one mile to two and a quarter miles...
his only defeat by five lengths. Artful's victory was also over a field of exceptional strength (and said at the time to be the finest juvenile field ever assembled): the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
champion Oiseau, the fillies and future classic winners Tanya
Tanya (horse)
Tanya was an American thoroughbred filly racehorse bred and raised in Kentucky. She was bred by William Collins Whitney and foaled at his Brookdale Farm in Lincroft, New Jersey. Sired by the outstanding English stallion Meddler, she was out of the mare Handspun.Unfortunately, before Tanya could...
and Agile, and the unbeaten filly Tradition. Artful raced four days later in the winning the Great Filly Stakes. She then took the White Plains Handicap under 130 pounds, giving away 29 pounds to a colt named Dandelion, and setting a new track record of 1:08 for six furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s. That record stood for fifty years, only broken on a straight course and under a much lighter burden of 115 pounds.
William Whitney died in Artful's two-year-old season and his son, Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney was an American businessman, thoroughbred horsebreeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family.- Early years :...
, succeeded him.
In her three-year-old season, Artful won two sprints to prepare for the Brighton Handicap which she took "pulling up," (slowing down). She defeated, Beldame
Beldame
Beldame was one of the great racing fillies of Twentieth century American breeding.-A horse to lease:The chestnut was foaled near Lexington, Kentucky in 1901 by Octagon, out of the English bred Bella Donna...
as well as Delhi
Delhi (horse)
Delhi was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that won the 1904 Belmont Stakes. He was the top money-winner of 1904 and was consequently named the co-historical American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse with Ort Wells. The following year, he was also the historical American Champion Older Male...
, the 1904 winner of the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
. Her last win was a quarter of a mile race.
As a broodmare, Artful did not reproduce herself. Her few foals were winners but not stakes winners. She died in 1927 at the age of twenty five.