Sea the Stars and Dettori Dominate Royal Ascot Day Three

Tara Madgwick - Friday June 21

Fresh from Group I success at Royal Ascot on the second day with Crystal Ocean, Galileo's half-brother Sea the Stars was the dominating force on the third day with his champion stayer Stradivarius winning the Group I Royal Ascot Gold Cup for the second year in a row while his 3YO filly Star Catcher won the Group II Ribblesdale Stakes.

Stradivarius - Royal Ascot Twitter

Stradivarius - Royal Ascot Twitter

Trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori, who steered him to victory last year, Stradivarius scored a length win in the 2m4f staying test and has now won his past seven starts in succession.

"Stradivarius is an amazing horse," said Frankie Dettori.

"He has won two Ascot Gold Cups - his heart is bigger than his body. He does not know how to lose. All I have to do is get him amongst other horses and he does the rest - what a horse. For a stayer, this lad has everything. He loves getting into a fight and he is a brilliant horse to ride."

Dettori enjoyed a magic day riding the first four winners on the program with Stradivarius preceded by wins on A'Ali (Group II Norfolk Stakes), Sangarius (Group III Hampton Court Stakes) and Star Catcher (Group II Ribblesdale Stakes).

Bred and raced by Bjorn Nielsen, five year-old Stradivarius has 11 wins and three placings from 16 starts with this victory his fourth Group I.

He is a half-brother to Champion German 3YO Persian Storm and is from stakes-placed Private Life, who comes from the family of Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist and Arc winner Peintre Celebre.

The family has also had success in Australia through Group III winner Lunar Rise and stakes-winner Crafty.

Stradivarius is one of 11 Group I winners for Galileo's half-brother Sea the Stars.

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