Stradivarius earns £1million shot at Lonsdale Cup in York after winning Qatar Goodwood Cup

  • Stradivarius won the Qatar Goodwood Cup for the second successive year 
  • In winning, Stradivarius became the first horse to win the Goodwood Cup and Ascot Gold Cup in the same season
  • Stradivarius will chase million-pound mega-payday at the Lonsdale Cup

Stradivarius will chase a million-pound mega-payday when he runs in the Lonsdale Cup at York later this month after winning the Qatar Goodwood Cup for the second successive year.

It looked a long shot that the new Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million bonus would be won when it was unveiled in the spring but the John Gosden-trained colt is now short odds to claim it if he can add the York race on August 24 to his wins in the Yorkshire Cup in May, the Ascot Gold Cup last month and Tuesday's success.

For a moment between the two furlong and one furlong pole in the two-mile race, it looked like runner-up Torcedor had half a length too much of a lead over Stradivarius and jockey Andrea Atzeni.

Stradivarius (C) won the Qatar Goodwood Cup for the second successive year on Tuesday

Stradivarius (C) won the Qatar Goodwood Cup for the second successive year on Tuesday

But, while Torcedor got half a length closer to Stradivarius than when he was third at Ascot, Gosden said Atzeni, standing in for the suspended Frankie Dettori, always felt he was in command.


In winning, 4-5 favourite Stradivarius became the first horse to win the Goodwood Cup and Ascot Gold Cup in the same season since Yeats in 2008. Gosden said: 'Stradivarius has a lot of heart and was very determined to win his race.

'The Lonsdale Stakes would be the obvious choice. I'm sure they have got the bonus well insured. We will have to do everything we can to win it.

'Andrea said he was conscious of not giving him a hard race. I said, "That's nice of you, Frankie will be grateful!".'

Stradivarius will now chase a million-pound mega-payday when he runs in the Lonsdale Cup

Stradivarius will now chase a million-pound mega-payday when he runs in the Lonsdale Cup

The Queen's Call To Mind was pulled up after suffering a tendon injury. The colt was able to travel home but the potentially career-ending injury took the shine off a double for trainer William Haggas with Alfarris and Move Swiftly.

The day had not started well for Gosden with news that his impressive Coventry Stakes winner Calyx is out for the season.

Gosden said: 'I think he picked it up in the Coventry. It's a little thing and he will be ready by late September or early October but I can't get him ready for anything then.'

The bonus being eyed by the the syndicate who own Mark Johnston's Vintage Stakes winner Dark Vision is a huge offer for their colt after a last-to-first charge under Silvestre de Sousa to beat Dunkerron by a length and three-quarters.

They have already really hit the jackpot. The 19 members paid £7,000 to buy three horses and train them for a year.

After victory on Tuesday, trainer John Gosden said that 'Stradivarius has a lot of heart'

After victory on Tuesday, trainer John Gosden said that 'Stradivarius has a lot of heart'

The trio of yearlings cost £33,000 between them and have all won. As well as Tuesday's £113,000 first prize, the syndicate's Victory Command also won a Listed race at Ascot on Saturday.

Johnston said: 'My biggest task will be keeping their feet on the ground.'

The Group Two Lennox Stakes went to David Elsworth-trained Sir Dancealot, who was extricated from a seemingly impossible position by jockey Gerald Mosse to pip Suedois a short head.

Winning trainer David Elsworth said: 'He got into more trouble than I do on a Saturday night when I've had a few.'