Stradivarius and Royal Ascot 2023: Hunt for Record Fourth Gold Cup
Stradivarius Falls Short in Bid for Historic Fourth Gold Cup at Royal Ascot 2023
Royal Ascot, June 2023 – In a thrilling race at the prestigious Royal Ascot 2023 meeting, the legendary Stradivarius fell just short in his attempt to claim a record-equaling fourth Gold Cup victory. The eight-year-old, trained by the formidable John and Thady Gosden duo, finished a gallant third behind the younger winner Kyprios.
Chasing a historic fifth overall triumph at Royal Ascot, Stradivarius was sent off as the second-favorite behind the eventual winner. Jockey Frankie Dettori encountered a familiar challenge, as he struggled to find clear running room throughout the race, reminiscent of the previous year’s edition.
Although the pace was not as fierce as 2022, Dettori was forced to make his move wide as Kyprios and Mojo Star had already stolen a march. Despite Stradivarius’ trademark bravery in giving chase, the eight-year-old’s advancing years proved to be the deciding factor, as the fresher legs of the younger horses prevailed.
Dettori, understandably disappointed, acknowledged that Stradivarius had run a commendable race, stating, “He owes nothing to racing, he’s been a magnificent horse and even though he got beaten today, he went down fighting.”
“I couldn’t understand dropping back. Because once you do that, you know it will be a sprint and then you have got to get around them and I’d be happier if he stayed where he was.”
- John Gosden, the veteran trainer
While the record-equaling victory eluded Stradivarius, the Ascot faithful celebrated the continued excellence of the equine star, whose longevity and impressive performances over the years have cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the sport.
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