Art Connoisseur (foaled 20 March 2006) is an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for his upset victory in the 2009 edition of the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
[3] Art Connoisseur's dam Withorwithouyou showed modest ability as a racehorse, winning one minor race at Warwick Racecourse in twelve starts.
Despite hanging right yet again he was "soon in full control" and won by two and a quarter lengths and a short head from Intense Focus and Lord Shanakill (later to win the Prix Jean Prat).
He stayed on from the rear of the field but sustained his first defeat as he was beaten into second place by Mastercraftsman with Bushranger (later to win the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes) in third.
[10] On his three-year-old debut, Art Connoisseur was assigned top weight of 131 pounds in the European Free Handicap over seven furlongs at Newmarket on 15 April.
[12] Tom Queally took over from the suspended Jamie Spencer when Art Connoisseur was matched against older horses for the first time and started a 20/1 outsider for the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on 20 June.
The race attracted a strong international challenge including the favourite J J the Jet Plane (Al Quoz Sprint) from South Africa, Sacred Kingdom from Hong Kong, Cannonball from the United States, Ialysos from Greece, Bushranger from Ireland and the former American sprinter Diabolical (Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap), now representing Godolphin.
The British challengers included Kingsgate Native, King's Apostle (Diadem Stakes) and Regal Parade (Ayr Gold Cup).
Art Connoisseur was switched left to race up the stands-side rail, overtook Lesson In Humility a furlong from the finish and held off the late challenge of Cannonball to win by a length.