Horse’s owner

NEWMARKET NEWS:

A FR E S H START F O R STR ADIVAR I U S AT TH E NATIO NAL STU D

One of modern racing’s superstars, Stradivarius, has been retired from racing and will stand at The National Stud from 2023, it has been announced this week. The prolific son of Sea The Stars won seven Group 1 races and close to £3.5million in prize money, as well as the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ £1 million bonus two years running. Owned and bred by Bjorn Nielsen and trained by John Gosden, Stradivarius quickly became a firm favourite with racegoers after winning the Goodwood Cup in taking fashion in 2017. Nielsen reflected: “It has been a fairytale from start to finish. He had great presence when he went to the races, which the crowds loved, and his overall soundness was rare to see in any horse – never mind one of his age. He is a tribute to John Gosden, who has trained him so brilliantly for so long.” Stradivarius is the highest earning son of leading sire Sea The Stars and performed consistently at the highest level throughout his career, winning four Goodwood Cups, three Ascot Gold Cups, three Lonsdale Stakes and the Doncaster Cup twice. Trainer John Gosden paid tribute to him and said: “Stradivarius has been the most extraordinary and unique racehorse throughout his career. He exhibited joy in his training and has given enormous pleasure to everyone, both on and off the track." “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 goes to stud with an amazing race record and enormous affection. To train he has been a complete joy to all of us here. He will remain close to home and is already looking forward to his new career.” Anna Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of The National Stud, added: “We are delighted to have a racehorse of the calibre of Stradivarius joining the roster at The National Stud. He has consistently demonstrated many of the attributes that his sire Sea The Stars had, including consistency, soundness and a phenomenal temperament." “The whole team are looking forward to him arriving here in the coming weeks and he will be available for breeders to view at the stud during the December sales.” The National Stud, which is part of The Jockey Club, has been an integral part of the British thoroughbred breeding industry for more than 100 years. Alongside breeding services it also delivers a world-class education programme in thoroughbred breeders and provides public tours through Discover Newmarket.