Stradivarius emulated Double Trigger (1995, 1997 & 1998) by recording a third victory in the Qatar Goodwood Cup.

 

Ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by John Gosden, the superstar stayer extended his unbeaten sequence to eight wins with a vintage display in the two-mile contest.

 

The five-year-old travelled powerfully into contention in the home straight and displayed his customary turn of foot to win eased down by a neck from the Mark Johnston-trained Dee Ex Bee in second.

 

Stradivarius' illustrious win record now features three Qatar Goodwood Cups, two Gold Cups, two Yorkshire Cups, a Lonsdale Cup and a QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup success.

 

He will win the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million Bonus for the second year running if he lands the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York's Ebor meeting next month.

 

Discussing the stayer after the race, Newmarket trainer Gosden said: "Stradivarius is a gorgeous horse. He followed Cross Counter and that is proper horse. Frankie followed the right horse, pounced at the right time, timed it beautifully and then overdid the waving at the crowd.

 

"I was not comfortable where he was early on in the race, but from halfway I was happy with his position. We discussed what we thought would happen in the race and then you leave Frankie alone to decide during the race. 

 

"Stradivarius has won his race and then our great hero started waving to the crowd. I must say that is a little dangerous because Stradivarius is a pro and when you say 'well that's enough', he says 'OK, I'll put the brakes on' and it was lucky Frankie didn't go over the handle bars I thought!

 

"It is great to emulate Double Trigger who was a great horse of Mark Johnston's. Stradivarius is a little street fighter and he just puts it in when he has to. That is the great thing about this horse. 

 

"He was in the yard roaring like a bull at 5.15am this morning telling everyone that he was ready. We were all thrilled with that and he is just a real pro.

 

"He is a very unique horse. They are not meant to have four white socks and a white face and be on the neat side. I would never call him small, he's neat.

 

"Stradivarius knows how to win. We never overwork him at home and always let him do what he enjoys doing. He is just a grand horse and it is wonderful to have a horse like him win three Goodwood Cups.

 

"Bjorn Nielsen bred him, owns him, and I think to him that is profoundly fulfilling to him to have bred the horse.

 

"We are lucky to have horse like this in the stable. We have fantastic staff, whether it be assistants, riders, yard people, head people.

 

"It is still good ground. The rain has come, but it has been blasted through and is not sitting over us. He probably would have won in good to soft, but that is not his favourite. He can quicken and a horse that can quicken wants top of the ground - that is the great weapon they have. If you take that away, then you have blunted them."

Dettori laughed when he said: "It's not good for the heart - after winning the King George on Saturday [on Enable] and now this on the two most popular and precious horses in training, and with the following of people they both have.

"I had the perfect race, and followed the one I thought would be the biggest threat [Cross Counter]. He took me into the race, and it was great to be behind him, otherwise I would have had to make my move earlier. As always, my horse showed he is a stayer with a turn of foot. He passed the others very easily, but when he got to the front and had the race won I probably celebrated a stride too early. Everyone is panicking, but I've been here before and know where the winning post is.

"He's an amazing horse who wastes very little energy, is mentally tough and is never going to be flash and win by ten lengths, but he gets the job done. All I have to do is put him in the race and he does the rest. He's a perfect partner.

"It's important for the public to have a horse who stays in training for so long and keeps delivering and with Stradivarius you know what you are going to get - a fight. Which is why people love him.

"It's nerve-wracking and exciting, but I work for a great trainer in John Gosden, who puts it on a plate for me. He and the staff should have all the credit."