Gosden and Dettori pay tribute to the 'most extraordinary' Stradivarius

John Gosden paid tribute to his star stayer Stradivarius as the "most extraordinary and unique racehorse" following the announcement of his retirement on Monday.

The legendary chestnut was the most recognisable horse in Newmarket during his illustrious career, which saw him win seven Group 1s and 20 of his 35 races, as well as nearly £3.5 million in prize-money.

His retirement comes just shy of six years after his debut at Nottingham on October 5, 2016, when he finished fifth of nine runners in a 1m½f maiden.

As well as on the track, Stradivarius was also a big draw at the Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket in recent years when he received top billing at the gallops morning.

John Gosden on Stradivarius: 'He exhibited joy in his training and has given enormous pleasure to everyone, both on and off the track.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Gosden said: "Stradivarius has been the most extraordinary and unique racehorse throughout his career. He has always maintained his total commitment and enthusiasm. He exhibited joy in his training and has given enormous pleasure to everyone, both on and off the track.

"He was kept in training this year as an eight-year-old to run in three races: the Yorkshire Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup.

"He maintained his form at the highest level in all three races and his positive mindset remained undiminished. It is an amazing feat for an entire horse and speaks volumes for his courage and tenacity."

The Bjorn Nielsen-owned eight-year-old finished his career when bravely going down by a neck to Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup in July, and Gosden hailed his star's longevity throughout his career.

"His constitution has been a marvel to behold and his exciting style of travelling easily in a race, and then quickening to pounce, reflected his character," he said.

"As everyone noticed, he could be very vociferous and playful before a race and quite often put in a buck cantering off to the start. Always an entertainer, but with a tough competitive mind, who was all business when the starting stalls opened."

"To his owner-breeder, to everyone at Clarehaven Stables and to his loving public, he has been a constant source of pleasure and excitement. He goes to stud with an amazing race record and enormous affection.

"To train he has been a complete joy to all of us. He will remain close to home at the National Stud and he is already looking forward to his new career."

Frankie Dettori partnered Stradivarius on 26 of his 35 outings, steering him to 15 victories including five at Group 1 level, notably a hat-trick of wins in the Ascot Gold Cup.

Speaking in his Sporting Index blog, he said: "He’s an absolute legend. He’s been a huge part of my life for the last six years, a good friend and a wonderful horse that I’ve spent so many wonderful times with.

"He had plenty of character. Every time you walked in the yard he’d let you know he was there! I remember riding him out in work sometimes and he’d try to buck me off.

"Just like me, he absolutely loved Ascot, and I’ll never forget those three Gold Cups, and even the applause he got from the crowd this year was amazing. He was the people's horse, a real fans' favourite, and I’m sure he’ll be fondly remembered for decades to come."

Bloodstock agent Tom Goff, the co-director of Blandford Bloodstock, bought the dam of Stradivarius, Private Life, for Nielsen for 70,000 guineas at the December Sales in 2006 and has followed his career closely.

Goff said: "I've been honoured to be a very small part of this incredible story which began when I bought Private Life for Bjorn 16 years ago. She was by Bering, from a great Wildenstein family, and we both loved the pedigree. Bjorn picked her out and at first he kept trying to get a filly out of her, then luckily Stradivarius came along.

"The most amazing feature of him has been his remarkable soundness and his appetite for training and racing. He's everything you could ever want in a racehorse and never, ever gave anything but 110 per cent and is a horse of a lifetime.

"It's very sad, but I think the time has come. He'll have every chance at the National Stud and it's well documented that his speed figures in the closing stages of his races are very respectable. Given that and his pedigree by Sea The Stars, there is no reason why he can't sire some very nice horses on the Flat."

Goff also paid tribute to how Stradivarius had been handled by John and Thady Gosden over the past six years.

"The Gosdens have trained him so beautifully throughout his career," he added. "To keep him focused as an entire horse for all those years was a challenge, especially as he did show his liking for the fairer sex in later years – often when being saddled.

"I think to keep him sweet for so long was a remarkable feat of training."

Read more on Stradivarius:

'The music has stopped' - legendary stayer Stradivarius is retired

Stradivarius: 'He's been one of the soundest horses who's ever lived'

Superstar stayer: three greatest hits from Stradivarius

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