Retired Stradivarius to parade at QIPCO British Champions Day

The legendary Stradivarius will be paraded in front of the crowds at QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot next Saturday after his retirement was announced last week.

The parade will take place after the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (2pm next Saturday) and will give fans the opportunity to show their appreciation to the eight-year-old, who will stand at the National Stud from 2023.

Trained by John & Thady Gosden, Stradivarius had a remarkable career on the track that included winning the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at QIPCO British Champions Day in 2018. He retires with the most QIPCO British Champions Series wins in its history with 16 (next best Frankel with nine).

Anna Kerr, chief executive of the National Stud, said: “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 of his sire Sea The Stars – consistency, soundness and a phenomenal temperament. Parading at QIPCO British Champions Day provides the perfect opportunity for racing fans to say farewell to a true icon of our sport.”

“He has been an absolute credit to the Gosden’s and their staff at Clarehaven who managed to maintain his performance and enthusiasm for so long.”

Stradivarius’ owner & breeder Bjorn Nielsen said: “He has been a joy to own. He turned up and ran his race every time with marvellous consistency. The last six years have been an absolute privilege and I particularly want to thank Ascot, Goodwood and York racecourses as well as everyone who has come out to support him during his career.

“He has been an absolute credit to the Gosden’s and their staff at Clarehaven who managed to maintain his performance and enthusiasm for so long.”

Stradivarius won’t be the only retired superstar racehorse on display at QIPCO British Champions Day, with spectators also having the chance to meet two Retraining of Racehorse all-stars in Side Glance and Trip To Paris.

Each now retired and enjoying a second career in showing and dressage, the two all-stars will be based throughout the day on the Motivator Lawn at Ascot – receiving visitors from the public. The trio will also parade in the paddock after the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes when their exploits on the track will be celebrated as we learn more about what they are doing now.

10 DAYS TO GO UNTIL QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

With just 10 days to go until QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 15^th October, fans will have to act fast if they want to secure tickets to Britain’s richest raceday.

The King Edward VII and Winning Post enclosures for the 12^th running of QIPCO British Champions Day are now sold out. There are only a limited number of tickets for the Queen Anne enclosure available, which you can buy here.

QIPCO British Champions Day is set to be a thrilling day with Champions crowned on and off the track. In addition to four Group 1 races, a Group 2 and Europe’s richest mile handicap, the Champion Jockey, Apprentice and Owner will all receive their trophies.

There will also be two inductions made into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame on the day, with the new Hall of Famers presented with a specially commissioned medal manufactured by Asprey. Meanwhile there will be a Hall of Fame exhibition in the grandstand at Ascot, to celebrate the two new inductees, as well as some already in the Hall of Fame including the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Frankel, 10 years on from his final outing in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.

In terms of other off the track activity that fans can enjoy on the day, there will be jockey masterclasses with leading jockeys Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand ahead of racing in the extended fan zone. There will be additional coaching demos hosted by Pony Racing Authority ambassadors throughout the day, alongside jockey signings, a Virtual Reality experience and educational talks.

And after racing, the show will go on with the QIPCO British Champions Day afterparty, with BBC Radio Six DJ Craig Charles headlining with his funk and soul music.

There are just 10 days to go until QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 15^th October with only a limited number of tickets available. For more information visit britishchampionsday.com