The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup this Friday at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse has been earmarked for star stayer Stradivarius. Retirement had been considered by Stradivarius's connections, however following his neck defeat to Kyprios at Goodwood, his owner Bjorn Neilsen has indicated that the Group 2 will be his next target.
Nielsen told Racing Post he believes his star 8-year-old hasn't lost a step, despite defeats in two starts this year.
“No disrespect to Kyprios, who's the new young stayer on the block, but with a bit better luck we might have won both the Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup,” said Nielsen. “His longevity is extraordinary. I think he has lasted so long because he is like his father [Sea The Stars]. He just does enough in his races, he never bottoms himself. He kind of goes through the motions but rarely takes more than 80 or 90 per cent out of himself.”
This Friday, Stradivarius will again be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, following the well-publicized drama between Gosden and longtime stable jockey Frankie Dettori.
Prior to the Goodwood Cup, Nielsen told The Sun: “Frankie Dettori, who has enjoyed a great relationship with Stradivarius and ridden him to many brilliant stakes victories – more than he has any other horse – will by mutual agreement give up the ride to Andrea Atzeni in the Goodwood Cup.
“Frankie remains not only 'the Strad's' biggest fan but a very good friend. I look forward to seeing him continue his phenomenal career as one of the greatest big-race jockeys of all time.”
Stradivarius has won 20 of his 35 races and 18 at Group level, including a record 6 wins on the Knavesmire, with three in the Lonsdale.
Trainer John Gosden believes Stradivarius retains all his enthusiasm and after the Goodwood Cup told Racing TV: “He ran a superb race. Our only frustration was we ended up on our own towards the inner and at his age he likes something to run with, but it was a wonderful run.
Bjorn Nielsen told ITV Racing immediately after the Goodwood race: “We are not saying goodbye yet after that! He ran today with his normal enthusiasm and there is no point stopping here right in the middle of his season. It was a great performance by him today.”
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