Stradivarius delivers incredible performance to secure hat-trick of successive Gold Cups

Stradivarius became only the third horse to win three back-to-back Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, turning in a brilliant performance. 

John Gosden’s incredible six-year-old was 4-5 favourite and duly delivered, streaking 10 lengths clear to win ahead of Nayef Road. 

Frankie Dettori took his time in the early going and was patient, with many feeling the rain-softened ground would work against Stradivarius. 

Stradivarius stormed to victory to win his third Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in succession

But those doubts were soon banished as he made it a hat-trick at the Gold Cup for owner Bjorn Nielsen.

Of course, there were no crowds to witness the legendary horse winning his third on the trot at Ascot due to the coronavirus crisis. 

But it mattered little in the thick of the race itself, with Stradivarius taking up a position in the centre of the field while Nayef Road and Withold set the pace. 

The six-year-old is only the third horse in history to have completed the hat-trick 

Frankie Dettori steered the superstar to victory by ten lengths from Nayef Road

Dettori then launched his ride into the attack and cruised through to a winning position, saluting the victory as he passed the finishing line all alone.

The popular Italian jockey performed his trademark flying dismount in the winners enclosure, although it lacked the usual impact without supporters present. 

Sagaro and Yeats are the only other horses to have won three Gold Cups in a row at Ascot with Yeats alone out front with four in succession.