Stradivarius misses Lonsdale Cup run

Stradivarius will miss this afternoon’s Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York due to a bruised foot.

The eight-year-old was due to bid for a fourth win in the race and a seventh victory overall on the Knavesmire after pushing Kyprios all the way in the Goodwood Cup last time out.

However, trainers John and Thady Gosden declared the son of Sea The Stars a non-runner just before 6am, leaving a field seven to go to post.

Thady Gosden said: “We were checking him over this morning, as we do routinely with runners, and noticed he just wasn’t quite right and a bit sore on his foot.

“It’s pretty remarkable that he’s been able to meet every engagement over the many years, never missed a race.

“Obviously it is frustrating and disappointing for people at York who may have come to see him, but we have to do the correct thing by the horse.”

The three-time Gold Cup owner holds an entry in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on October 15. Before that there is the option of the Doncaster Cup he won in both 2019 and 2021 on Friday September 9, although any final decision on future plans will be taken by owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen.

Gosden added: “Possibly (Doncaster Cup), we’ll talk to Bjorn Nielsen the owner and decide what he would like to do from here.”