Backers set to pull plug on £1m bonus after new knockout blow from Stradivarius

The experience of twice being knocked out by Stradivarius, combined with the expectation he will continue racing next year, is set to spell the end of the WH Stayers' Million bonus.

Few believed the windfall would be landed when introduced last year but the emergence of Stradivarius as one of the all-time great marathon runners has resulted in sponsoring insurance company Weatherbys Hamilton having to pay out a total of £2 million, the bulk of that going to owner Bjorn Nielsen.

Although adamant Weatherbys Hamilton would continue to support the staying division – the company also backed the £225,000 Lonsdale Cup which Stradivarius has twice landed to empty the bonus kitty – how that will be done is yet to be decided.

Stradivarius empties the WH Stayers' Million bonus for the second timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We need to think hard," said chief executive Charles Hamilton. "To use a prize-fighter analogy, we took on Stradivarius over four rounds last year and were floored. We staggered to our feet, took him on over another four rounds this year and were floored again.

"I think, realistically, we have to declare this particular fight to be over, and if Stradivarius stays in training it would be difficult to justify carrying on with the bonus as it is now."

Hamilton added: "I think it would have been a great shame if after year one we had run to the hills. However, I had to convince my partners, kicking and screaming, to do it again. The costs to us from the bonus are huge so we have to evaluate what we do next.

"I'm loath to give up supporting the stayers. We just need to think what is the best way we should do that in the future."

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