THE first foal of seven-time Group 1 winner? Stradivarius arrived at the National Stud in Newmarket in the early hours of Monday morning.

Bred by Wretham Stud out of the Bated Breath mare Give Me Breath, the chesnut filly is said to closely resemble her prolific sire, who won the Gold Cup at Ascot three times and the Goodwood Cup four times.

The stud’s head of bloodstock, Joe Bradley, said: “She is a lovely first foal for Stradivarius and looks to have his strength and athleticism at this early stage which bodes well for future arrivals. We have two more mares due in the next week so it is a very exciting time for everyone on the farm.

“His book for 2024 is looking very strong and breeders are really taken with him. His physique, temperament and of course his walk which I‘m sure will be replicated in his progeny.”

Bjorn Nielsen, who bred and raced Stradivarius, said: “I’m astonished at how much this first foal is like ‘the Strad’ in both her colouring and movement, being chesnut with a big white blaze!”