IT’S tempting to lump the achievements of Stradivarius in with everything else achieved by John Gosden during the year, but his feat in landing the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Million is both remarkable enough in terms of his individual achievement, and of enough import to the future of the sport to be dealt with separately.

British racing has historically valued toughness and stamina above cheap speed, with the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot the traditional testing-ground for Derby and St Leger winners kept in training beyond their classic seasons.