Star stayer Stradivarius became a millionaire all over again when he landed the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York on Friday in a course-record time.
Trained by John Gosden for breeder Bjorn Nielsen and ridden by Frankie Dettori, Stradivarius was expected to score and got the job done at odds of 4-9, dismissing Dee Ex Bee and Il Paradiso.
Stradivarius and Frankie Dettori – a team who stay all day!
The success means the classy five-year-old scoops insurance broker Weatherbys Hamilton’s £1 million bonus for the second year running.
In a bid to boost and maintain the staying division, organisers introduced the idea last year, offering the healthy sum for any horse who wins a spring qualifying race and then goes on to land the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup.
Just as he did last year, Stradivarius began his money-making campaign began at York in May in the Yorkshire Cup before convincing victories at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
With another million in reach, he made no mistake on the Knavesmire – much to the delight of connections.
‘Special horse’ – Frankie Dettori
Dettori, winning his sixth Lonsdale Cup, said: “Dee Ex Bee was the one I had to beat, but I know Stradivarius has a tremendous turn of foot, so I waited and waited.
“Then, Wayne Lordan was going better on Il Paradiso so I got on his heels and waited until the final furlong (200m). I asked and Stradivarius went whoosh.
“He gets a length in front and thinks the job’s done. People get attached to horses like him, you’ll always get a fight and this horse is special.”
An emotional Nielsen concurred, adding: “Of course we’ll have a celebration tonight; It’ll be pretty good. It’s a privilege to own him and he’s a special horse.”
The son of Sea The Stars is entered in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on 19 October but Gosden said he would leave plans to Nielsen
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