Champion Artax to Metropolitan in New York

Artax, a champion sprinter and sire of 2004 grade I winner Friendly Michelle, will be moved to Metropolitan Stud near Pine Plains, N.Y., from Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Ky. The 9-year-old son of Marquetry had begun his stallion career at Clermont Farm in New York before relocating to the Taylor family's nursery. His 2004 fee of $10,000 will remain the same for next year.

One of the year's most successful 3-year-old filly sprinters, Friendly Michelle has won this year's Prioress (gr. I), La Troienne (gr. III), and Santa Paula Stakes and placed in two grade I events. Artax also has sired stakes-placed Anaf as well as the earners of $1.6 million.

Artax, who was produced from the Apalachee mare Raging Apalachee, equaled the track-record of 1:07.89 in winning the 1999 Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) the year he was champion. He won two other grade I stakes that year and retired with career earnings of $1,685,840.