James McDonald booked to ride Artorius at Royal Ascot

Australia’s leading jockey James McDonald has been booked to ride Artorius at Royal Ascot.

Artorius claimed a deserved second Group 1 success with victory in the Canterbury Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng–Getty Images

Australia’s leading jockey James McDonald has been booked to ride Artorius at Royal Ascot.

Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius, a dual Group 1 winner, will return to England to contest the Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes (1207m) on June 24.

Artorius ran a swashbuckling third in the race last year.

The four-year-old stallion will return to Australian following the Jubilee to begin his stud career at Newgate Farm.

McDonald, the world’s highest-rated jockey, rode three winners at Royal Ascot last year, including Nature Strip in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1006m).

The booking announcement on Friday morning came a short time after Godolphin announced the retirement of nine-time Group 1 winner Anamoe, who had been touted as a possible Royal Ascot raider.

McDonald won eight Group 1 races aboard Anamoe, including the W.S Cox Plate last year.

Australian champion Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton piloted Artorius to victory two starts back in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.

Artorius ran on strongly in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes second-up, with Mark Zahra aboard, finishing fourth behind Anamoe.

The explosive stallion has been back in work at the Freedman’s Pinecliff stable for a fortnight following a short freshen up.

Artorius will travel to Europe in early June along with co-trainer Sam Freedman.

“The horse has returned to Victoria in terrific order and we are excited about getting him back to Royal Ascot this year,” the stable said in a statement on Instagram.

Originally published as James McDonald booked to ride Artorius at Royal Ascot