Stradivarius gained a 20th career success and made it a perfect six wins from six races at York with victory in the Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup under Frankie Dettori.
It was a record-breaking performance from Bjorn Nielsen’s eight-year-old, who moved sweetly to the front before finding enough in the end to land his 18th European Group-race victory.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained entire sat fourth early on behind the pace-setting Thunderous and Franny Norton.
🎻 Stradivarius – he's back & remains unbeaten on the Knavesmire @yorkracecourse @FrankieDettori
🏇 33 runs🥇 20 wins🏆🏆🏆🏆 Goodwood Cups🏆🏆🏆 Gold Cups🏆🏆🏆 Yorkshire Cups 🏆🏆🏆 Lonsdale Cups🏆🏆🏆 Doncaster Cups🏆 Long Distance Cup🏆 Queen's Vase pic.twitter.com/JXxt8e2YQD
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 13, 2022
When the pace quickened, Stradivarius briefly hit a flat spot but was soon back on the bridle and Dettori eased him through a gap between the leader and Max Vega with three furlongs to run.
He hit top stride with a quarter of a mile left to travel, but the 6-4 favourite idled once hitting the front as he drifted to the stands rail and had to dig deep as Thunderous fought back.
Yet he had a length to spare at the line from the gallant 17-2 runner-up and will now head to Royal Ascot in a bid to land a fourth Gold Cup, for which he was cut to 3-1 by Betfair and Coral.