On Monday 26 September, the racing world learned the news that one of its greatest names was to be retired. The chestnut stallion with the striking white blaze and socks is sired by Sea the Stars – who was himself a winner of the Epsom Derby, 2,000 Guineas, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – and was trained by the brilliant John Gosden in Newmarket. Stradivarius won a record 18 European Group races, many of them with Frankie Dettori on board. The Italian jockey posted a heartfelt goodbye on his social media earlier this week.
Sadly, the 8-year-old has had a slow recovery from an injury and the decision was taken to retire him to stud. Let’s take a look at some of the legendary moments in the glittering career of this racing icon.
It was not until he was 3 years old that his talent as a first-rate stayer really shone when he won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot followed by the Goodwood Cup at the glorious Goodwood Festival.
At 4 years old, Stradivarius grew his budding relationship with York Racecourse when he won the Yorkshire Cup at the Dante Spring Festival and the Lonsdale Cup at the Ebor Festival. As well as his second Goodwood Cup, Strad brought music to the ears of Ascot Racecourse by winning the Ascot Gold Cup as he firmly established his endearing connection to the course. He ended the season by winning the Long Distance Cup at Ascot’s British Champions Day; aptly followed by repeated victories in the Yorkshire Cup, Ascot Gold Cup, Lonsdale Cup, and Goodwood Cup the next year.
His partnership with Frankie Dettori was a golden one: not only did they win but they won in style! In 2020, Stradivarius won his third Gold Cup at Ascot by 10 lengths, and he followed it up by claiming a record fourth Goodwood Cup in July. His love affair with York Racecourse reached a resounding crescendo as he won the Lonsdale Cup at the 2021 Ebor Festival and his third Yorkshire Cup at the 2022 Dante Spring Festival.
The racing world bids a very fond farewell to Stradivarius as he heads to stud to add another string to his bow. In the words of Frankie Dettori, “thanks for the memories, Strad… ciao”!