STRADIVARIUS will stand at the National Stud in Newmarket next year. The son of Sea The Stars was officially retired from racing this week, following a career which saw him win seven Group 1 races and a £1 million bonus on two occasions.

Owned and bred by Bjorn Nielsen and trained by John Gosden, Stradivarius won four Goodwood Cups, three Gold Cups at Ascot, three Lonsdale Cups at York and the Doncaster Cup twice.

“It has been a fairytale from start to finish,” said Nielsen. “He had great presence when he went to the races, which the crowds loved, and his overall soundness was rare to see in any horse – never mind one of his age. He is a tribute to John Gosden, who has trained him so brilliantly for so long.”

Gosden added: “Stradivarius has been the most extraordinary and unique racehorse throughout his career. He exhibited joy in his training and has given enormous pleasure to everyone, both on and off the track.

“As everyone noticed, he could be very vociferous and playful before a race and quite often put in a buck cantering off to the start. Always an entertainer, but with a tough competitive mind, who was all business when the starting stalls opened.

“He goes to stud with an amazing race record and enormous affection. To train he has been a complete joy to all of us here. He will remain close to home and is already looking forward to his new career.”

National Stud chief executive Anna Kerr added: “We are delighted to have a racehorse of the calibre of Stradivarius joining the roster at the National Stud. He has consistently demonstrated many of the attributes that his sire Sea The Stars had, including consistency, soundness and a phenomenal temperament.”