Bjorn Nielsen feels timing was right as Stradivarius heads to stud

The son of Sea The Stars won the Ascot Gold Cup on three occasions

John and Thady Gosden's star stayer Stradivarius has been retired to stud. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA 

Owner Bjorn Nielsen believes the time is right to retire his three-time Gold Cup winner Stradivarius.

The eight-year-old has been sidelined since missing out on last month's Lonsdale Cup, when a bruised foot forced his withdrawal on the morning of the race at York.