Stradivarius: The Horse Of A Lifetime

Katie Midwinter (26/09/22)

The horse of a lifetime, staying superstar Stradivarius has been retired by owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen. He will now become a stallion, joining the roster at the National Stud in Newmarket. 

The son of Sea The Stars enjoyed an exceptional career on track, recording eighteen Group wins, the most by any horse trained in Europe, eclipsing Cirrus Des Aigles with success in the Yorkshire Cup in May.

Fans have been blessed to see him run on thirty-five occasions, winning twenty times, including seven Group One successes.

Perhaps his most visually impressive performance came in his third Ascot Gold Cup victory, when he beat Nayef Road by ten-lengths on soft ground. Despite the absence of the crowd at the Royal Meeting, the chestnut, along with his partner Frankie Dettori, provided racing fans across the world with a spectacular show of stamina and strength, dazzling in the mud.

“Even if I am fortunate to win the Derby or the Arc at some point in the future, I know I will never have another horse like him. He was hugely appreciated by the public. It was just a joy from start to finish,” Nielsen told the Racing Post.

However, the story could have been a different one, had his owner chosen to part ways with the champion when he was a yearling.

He was offered for sale in the 2015 Tattersalls October Sale, but his breeder retained the young horse at a price of 330,000gns. He then went on to begin a racing career at Clarehaven Stables, under the care of masterful trainer John Gosden.

On debut at Nottingham, almost six years ago, two-year-old Stradivarius finished fifth of nine in a mile-and-a-half trip maiden under Robert Havlin. He finished fourth in his subsequent appearance, partnered by Dettori for the first time, six-lengths behind stablemate Cracksman.

His maiden win came on the all-weather at Newcastle, rallying when headed in the closing stages, showing the first glimpses of grit and determination that he has shown on so many occasions since.

As a three-year-old he began showing signs of great staying ability, winning the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot before winning the Goodwood Cup in his first attempt up in trip over two-miles.

A third-place finish in the St Leger Stakes followed with half-a-length separating the colt from the winner, Capri, with Crystal Ocean in second.

The following season, in 2018, Stradivarius was unbeaten, recording five wins, all in Group races including the Ascot Gold Cup and a second Goodwood Cup.

He claimed the WH Stayers’ Million prize in both 2018 and 2019, an initiative created by Weatherbys Hamilton in order to put the spotlight on the stayers who are often overlooked in favour of the speedsters and middle-distance specialists. 

As a six-year-old, Stradivarius continued to dominate at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, before being campaigned differently, dropped in trip in preparation for a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe bid.

He attempted the Prix Foy at Longchamp, beaten a head by an Epsom Derby-winner, the late Anthony Van Dyck, putting in a good showing despite running over an inadequate mile-and-a-half trip.

The Arc followed, a slog on heavy ground with the absence of the Ballydoyle contingent due to a contaminated feed issue. Stradivarius and stablemate Enable, a dual-winner of the prestigious contest, travelled side-by-side throughout as Persian King led at a steady pace.

The race wasn’t run to suit the Clarehaven pair who struggled in conditions and became short of room in the straight. A return to Ascot followed for Stradivarius but he was clearly feeling the effects of his trip to France as he failed to fire in the Long Distance Cup.

In his penultimate season he enjoyed two Group victories but was unable to equal Yeats record of four Gold Cups as he tasted his first defeat in the contest when beaten by Subjectivist.

On that day he was ridden towards the rear and struggled for room as the winner flew home, having been given a perfect ride by experienced jockey Joe Fanning. There was a feeling of disappointment surrounding the Stradivarius camp, and a wonder of what might have been.

In his following appearance, the seven-year-old, now trained by the new partnership of John & Thady Gosden, put in a courageous performance to beat Spanish Mission in the Lonsdale Cup, treating fans on the Knavesmire to an exciting finish.

A second Doncaster Cup followed, and, following disappointments at both Longchamp and Ascot, respectively, the decision was made to keep the horse in training for another year.

Things didn’t quite go to plan this season, but despite failing in his efforts to regain the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, Stradivarius lost nothing in defeat, and he has gone out at the top of his game.

He was successful once again at York, making history with a record-equalling sixth win on the Knavesmire with a third success in the Yorkshire Cup, extending his unbeaten run at the track.

Many will say he has been unlucky this year, facing problems in his races and failing to get a clear run when races have been developing. However, despite the traffic troubles and woes, Stradivarius has always given his all and has never been one to shy away from a challenge. He has often given a number of lengths away to his rivals but chased them down with that same grit and determination he showed when he was a juvenile winning his maiden under the lights on Tyneside.

Whilst his racing career may be over, he will live long in the memories of racing fans lucky enough to have witnessed his magical presence. He may be small in stature, but he has certainly made up for it with his spirit and attitude, towering above his rivals, perhaps not in size but in heart.

With his constant presence in the top staying races and special partnership with Dettori, Stradivarius’ popularity rocketed, and he is well loved and hugely respected in the racing community. 

A long-awaited career at stud will now follow but it remains to be seen how well supported this particular stallion will be.

Whilst stayers have perhaps not gained the recognition they have deserved in recent years, as a faster horse has become more desirable at stud, the true battle of stamina over two miles is an excellent test of a horse and often a brilliant watch for the racing fans.

Stamina is needed in a racehorse and this well-bred equine talent has that in abundance, with the addition of speed shown in his electric turn of foot.

His professional attitude and perseverance are attractive traits he possesses but it is perhaps his soundness that is most impressive of all. He has never suffered any injuries and has only once missed an assignment for reasons other than the ground.

The chestnut has captured hearts around the world, attracting fans with his boisterous temperament, his stylish swagger, and fantastic talent that earned him a career-high rating of 125.

The sweet music he provided may have stopped on the track, but there will be plenty to look forward to in the future for fans and connections of this magnificent horse, as he embarks on a different career.

Perhaps his progeny will continue his legacy, but it’s difficult to imagine another horse in the near future repeating the feats of Stradivarius, enjoying a fairytale career with few problems and providing heaps of enjoyment to so many. 

There’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle and Stradivarius never failed to produce the music with an exciting and exhilarating symphony that has now come to an end.

Thank you, Stradivarius.