Urban Artist could sign off in Paris on Arc weekend

Simon Milham
August 2, 2022 12:38 pm

Stablemate Quickthorn likely to be seen at York.

Hughie Morrison may hand Urban Artist a Group One swansong after she was collared late on by Sea La Rosa in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

The seven-year-old was an unconsidered 18-1 chance for the Group Two contest, yet under a positive ride from Jason Watson drew clear of her six rivals only to be carried out on her shield when going down by a length.

Morrison is understandably proud of his mare’s performance.

“I said to Jason, ‘if you are going within yourself, you are not going fast enough. Every time you get to a bend, just kick off it and take two or three lengths out of them’,” said the trainer.

🐴 Sea La Rosa 🐴
The William Haggas-trained filly overhauls front-running Urban Artist under @TomMarquand at the end of a compelling GBP 300,000 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at @Goodwood_Races. pic.twitter.com/159KXw6n63

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2022

“The sectionals weren’t that fast, it is just that they let her go. What surprised me was when the winner came to her, she stuck on.

“A furlong out, you thought you were going to get swallowed up, but she just kept going.”

Urban Artist has come a long way since finishing seventh of 12 in a Taunton bumper on her debut three years ago – winning three times and finishing second on no less than five occasions since being switched to the Flat.

“She has just got a real engine,” Morrison added.

“As a bumper horse, when she came to us, I was told she was absolutely useless. First time out, I was persuaded to run her and I had another, better-fancied runner in the race (Miss Austen). But all I did was watch her, because I was just terrified she would be tailed off, because she was so slow.”

Trainer Hughie Morrison (Mike Egerton/PA)

The East Ilsley handler is now mulling over options for Urban Artist’s next target.

He said: “She ran in the Group Two Park Hill (at Doncaster) – not very well – last September. We will look somewhere around there.

“There is very little for her. Ideally, you’d be looking for a mile-and-six (furlongs) or two-mile Listed fillies’ race.

“She was second in two Group Threes and a Group Two, and she deserved to win a Listed race, but there is always something with a bit more speed.

“I didn’t particularly want to run her on that (quick) ground at Goodwood, but there is nothing for her. She is a good mover, she doesn’t need easier ground. It just slows the others down. She keeps going and they can’t quicken.

“You might put her in the Prix Royallieu in ParisLongchamp as a swansong. If she ran into a place there, I’d be thrilled.

“I’ve given up thinking I’m going to win with her, but if we picked up GBP 60,000 here or GBP 70,000 there – for a small syndicate, that is big money.”

Morrison also revealed that Quickthorn, who followed up his Henry II victory at Sandown with Group Two success in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil at ParisLongchamp a fortnight ago, is more likely to head to York rather than taking on Ascot Gold Cup winner Kyprios at the Curragh.

Morrison said: “He will either go to York or the Irish St Leger. But the more I look at the Irish St Leger – especially if Kyprios goes – we will either go for the Lonsdale (Group Two on August 19) or the Ebor a day later. We have a choice at the moment.”