Superstar stayer: three greatest hits from Stradivarius

Staying superstar Stradivarius won 20 times from 35 starts, including a magnificent seven Group 1s and ten Group 2s. Now retired at the age of eight, we look back on the finest performances from Bjorn Nielsen's son of Sea The Stars.

Ascot (June 2019)

Gold Cup, Group 1, 2m4f Soft
Racing Post Rating: 121

Stradivarius delivered on only his second start of the year, following up victory in the Yorkshire Cup to secure a second Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, as well as a remarkable seventh straight win.

Frankie Dettori was in imperious form having ridden the first three winners on the card with A’Ali in the Norfolk, Sangarius in the Hampton Court and Star Catcher in the Ribblesdale Stakes.

Dettori remained composed as it appeared as though the star stayer was boxed in by his rivals at the two-furlong pole, but by a furlong out it was clear that nothing was going to stop the pair.

Stradivarius powered home with that trademark turn of foot to deny the Mark Johnston-trained Dee Ex Bee, who was also staying on.

Dettori could not go on to replicate his Magnificent Seven of 1996, but could be satisfied knowing that Stradivarius had delivered his best performance yet with an RPR of 121.

Watch Stradivarius win the 2019 Gold Cup

Frankie Dettori punches the air as Stradivarius wins his second Gold CupCredit: Bryn Lennon

Goodwood (July 2019)

Qatar Goodwood Cup, Group 1, 2m Good
RPR: 123

A month after securing that second Gold Cup, Stradivarius went to Goodwood looking to complete a hat-trick in the Goodwood Cup after victories in 2017 and 2018.

Once again Dee Ex Bee, who had won the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes and the Henry II Stakes before bumping into Stradivarius at Royal Ascot, proved a worthy opponent, but his connections could only look on as Frankie Dettori guided Stradivarius to an eighth straight victory.

Although the winning margin was only a neck, Stradivarius once again demonstrated his versatility, winning over four furlongs less and on good ground, as opposed to the soft-ground Gold Cup a month earlier.

A third win in this Group 1 staying contest at the Glorious meeting earned Stradivarius an RPR of 123.

Watch Stradivarius win the Goodwood Cup

Different conditions, same result: a third Goodwood Cup for Stradivarius (right)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Ascot (June 2020)

Gold Cup, Group 1, 2m4f Soft
RPR: 125

Stradivarius delivered a devastating ten-length demolition job to land a third Gold Cup in a career-best performance of 125 on Racing Post Ratings.

Sent off the 4-5 favourite after a creditable prep run at Newmarket in the Coronation Cup over an inadequate trip of a mile and a half, Stradivarius was in a different stratosphere to his opposition.

When Dettori pushed the button he surged clear, providing a sense of familiarity for racing fans watching at home, with the only downside to this procession being that it was behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stradivarius wins his third Gold Cup in emphatic style behind closed doorsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Watch Stradivarius win the 2020 Gold Cup

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

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