From the private collection of Dale Wyatt. Used by permission.
Best remembered now for her upset of Sysonby in the 1904 Futurity Stakes, Artful deserves to be remembered for more. The measure of respect old-time horsemen held for her can be seen in the fact that she was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 1956, one year after its opening. Unfortunately, Artful was a disappointing producer.
Race record
8 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, US$81,125
1904:
1905:
Honors
As an individual
A finely molded bay filly, Artful had the elegant look of a horse suited for the Classics and the speed of a sprinter. She was said to have had a less than ideal temperament, on one occasion breaking her groom's arm.
As a producer
Artful produced four foals, of which three won. She was barren during her first two seasons in the paddocks before producing four consecutive foals, after which she was barren despite being bred annually through the age of 23. He daughter Paintbrush (by Broomstick) produced the stakes winners Fresco (by Peter Pan) and Smear (by Mad Hatter).
Connections
Artful was bred and owned by William Collins Whitney, who died in the spring of her 2-year-old season. She was purchased for US$10,000 from his estate by his son Harry Payne Whitney but raced under lease to H. B. Duryea as a juvenile. She was trained by John W. Rogers. She died in 1927.
Pedigree notes
Artful is inbred 5x4 to Leamington and 5x5x5 to Lexington. She is a full sister to Queen of Hearts, dam of the good stakes winner Rickety (by Broomstick) and second dam of stakes winner Witchmount (by Broomstick). She is also a half sister to Money Mart (by All Gold), second dam of five stakes winners. Artful's dam Martha II won the Sapphire Stakes as a juvenile and is a half sister to Cypher Code (by Disguise), dam of stakes winner Senator Norris (by Cudgel).
Fun facts
Race record
8 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, US$81,125
1904:
- Won Futurity Stakes (USA, 6FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- Won Great Filly Stakes (USA, 6FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- Won White Plains Handicap (USA, 6FD, Morris Park; new world record 1:08)
1905:
- Won Brighton Handicap (USA, 10FD, Brighton Beach)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1956)
- American co-champion 2-year-old filly (1904)
As an individual
A finely molded bay filly, Artful had the elegant look of a horse suited for the Classics and the speed of a sprinter. She was said to have had a less than ideal temperament, on one occasion breaking her groom's arm.
As a producer
Artful produced four foals, of which three won. She was barren during her first two seasons in the paddocks before producing four consecutive foals, after which she was barren despite being bred annually through the age of 23. He daughter Paintbrush (by Broomstick) produced the stakes winners Fresco (by Peter Pan) and Smear (by Mad Hatter).
Connections
Artful was bred and owned by William Collins Whitney, who died in the spring of her 2-year-old season. She was purchased for US$10,000 from his estate by his son Harry Payne Whitney but raced under lease to H. B. Duryea as a juvenile. She was trained by John W. Rogers. She died in 1927.
Pedigree notes
Artful is inbred 5x4 to Leamington and 5x5x5 to Lexington. She is a full sister to Queen of Hearts, dam of the good stakes winner Rickety (by Broomstick) and second dam of stakes winner Witchmount (by Broomstick). She is also a half sister to Money Mart (by All Gold), second dam of five stakes winners. Artful's dam Martha II won the Sapphire Stakes as a juvenile and is a half sister to Cypher Code (by Disguise), dam of stakes winner Senator Norris (by Cudgel).
Fun facts
- Artful was never beaten except in races in which a stablemate had been declared to win under the rules of racing then prevailing, a strategy probably used to preserve her maiden weight allowance for the Futurity Stakes.
- Artful's world record for 6 furlongs was set over the straightaway Eclipse Course at Morris Park on October 15, 1904. Her record for 6 furlongs over a straight course was broken exactly 50 years later at Belmont Park by another 2-year-old filly, Vestment, on October 15, 1954.
- Artful and her contemporary Beldame were the first two fillies or mares to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame; both entered in the Hall's second year, 1956.