King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the National Stud in Newmarket on Tuesday, where they were introduced to champion racehorse Stradivarius. The 12-year-old horse, winner of the Ascot Gold Cup on three occasions, has been retired to stallion duties at the Jockey Club-owned facility.
During the visit, the royal couple stroked the horse and fed him mints. As Stradivarius crunched loudly on the treats, the King remarked: “At least he didn’t bite!” The Queen Consort added: “Keep away from their teeth. Now he’s looking for more polos.”
Stradivarius, who earned more than £3.4 million in prize money, rounded off a 35-race career in 2022 with 20 wins, including four Goodwood Cups and three Yorkshire and Lonsdale Cups. Owner Bjorn Nielsen said via the Racing Post: “I just hoped he wouldn’t take his fingers off! Strad can have a go at you, but everything was fine.”
The horse, regularly ridden by Frankie Dettori, stands for a fee of £10,000 and covered more than 220 mares in his first two seasons at stud. He was one of four stallions shown to the royal couple, who attended all five days of Royal Ascot last month.
After arriving by helicopter, the King and Queen were welcomed by more than 1,000 people. King Charles, who reduced the number of horses in training after inheriting the royal string from his mother Queen Elizabeth II, expressed hope for a future Derby runner. Brian Finch, chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “We were talking about him getting a Derby runner and he said ‘we’re working on it’. Everybody is hoping the royal family will have a Derby winner soon.”
