Frankie Dettori's link-up with star Stradivarius appears to be over with just days to go until Goodwood begins.
Owner Bjorn Nielsen has booked Andrea Atzeni for the ride, four years on from their pair's double at the meeting. Since the summer date in 2018, Dettori has ridden Stradivarius in over 20 races – and together they have become one of the sport's favourite partnerships with fans.
Yet the relationship with connections was strained when Stradivarius found trouble in running, two years on the trot in Royal Ascot's feature contest.
A fourth Gold Cup eluded Stradivarius, the same number of renewals he has won of the Chichester version. Dettori was temporarily replaced on John and Thady Gosden's horses, after the senior trainer said it was a case of the rider 'overcomplicating' it at the Berkshire venue.
Dettori also lost on the yard's hot favourite Reach For The Moon there and Emily Upjohn's slow start in the Oaks at Epsom cost her the race.
Atzeni, who has not been beaten in three outings on Stradivarius, will now get his chance to win again next week. It is expected to be Stradivarius' final trip to the meeting before the winner of £3.3 million in prize money is retired at the end of the season.
Nielsen told the Racing Post : "Frankie Dettori, who has enjoyed a great relationship with Stradivarius and ridden him to many brilliant stakes victories – more than he has any other horse – will by mutual agreement give up the ride to Andrea Atzeni in the Goodwood Cup."
Ascot Gold Cup hero Kyprios, the new king of the staying division, heads the Goodwood Cup betting with William Hill at 7-4. Stradivarius, 2-1 with the same firm, took the race in 2019 and 2020 with Dettori in the saddle.
