Trueshan is triumphant as Stradivarius defeat leaves retirement talk in the air

We had to wait almost an entire season to see it but on an autumn afternoon in Paris the clash between Trueshan and Stradivarius finally happened. After Trueshan's triumph and Stradivarius's honourable defeat, it may not happen again.

They had met once before, when 62 lengths separated the two star stayers on British Champions Day. This time the margin was four and a half lengths, but while Trueshan will surely be a racecourse force for many years, his Qatar Prix du Cadran victim may have raced for the final time.

The gluey ground was much better suited to Trueshan than the gallant runner-up, but even taking that into account, Stradivarius's owner Bjorn Nielsen sounded more than ever before as though the time may have come to retire the most prolific winner of European Group races there has ever been.

It's all so easy for James Doyle and TrueshanCredit: Edward Whitaker

A decision will be made after talks next week with joint-trainer John Gosden. The latter was absent from Longchamp, as were Trueshan's trainer Alan King and the horse's suspended regular rider Hollie Doyle.

In her absence, James Doyle did a marvellous job, driving Trueshan to his second Group 1 victory after a duel up the home straight with Stradivarius that eventually became rather one-sided.

"He stays all day and has a good kick on this ground as well," said Doyle, who described the success as "fantastic" but qualified that with words of commiseration for his namesake.

"Hollie has been a big part of this horse's career and to miss out today through suspension is pretty tough," he added. "I'm thinking of her but it's not the first time it's happened in racing and it won't be the last. She has a lot to look forward to with him."

Prix du Cadran: full result

Trueshan could return to Longchamp for the Prix Royal-Oak if he does not seek to defend his Long Distance Cup crown at Ascot, where last year's Cadran heroine Princess Zoe heads after this time finishing fifth.

"We're proud of her and we'll have another go at Ascot," said trainer Tony Mullins. "Hopefully we can get a crack at them there but the winner is a champion."

So, too, is the runner-up.

"I think we got beat by a better horse on the day but he ran a great race," said Nielsen, who as good as ruled Stradivarius out of another Champions Day challenge, given the Ascot ground is almost certain to be soft or worse. We will not see Stradivarius there. We may not see him anywhere else.

Asked if his superstar would remain in training at eight, Nielsen added: "I don't know. He has been going a long time. He was so dominant across '18, '19 and '20, but age will ultimately get to you and he obviously isn't as dominant as he once was.

Frankie Dettori tells Stradivarius how much he loves him as owner Bjorn Nielsen and Thady Gosden watch onCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I don't want to race him on like an old boxer who still thinks he's got it when everyone can see he doesn't. I'm not saying we're at that point but at some stage you have to pull up stumps and say he isn't what he was. Again, I'm not saying that's today, but that day comes for every horse, even him.

"For as much as I want to see him stay in training, the worst thing would be for him to go downhill."

Nielsen then made clear his wish that, when the time comes, Stradivarius stands at stud in England. That would mean shorter visiting trips for Frankie Dettori, who parted with one champion in the Longchamp paddock when Enable bowed out here 12 months ago. He may well have parted with another.

"You tried so hard for me," he said, patting the horse's rump and adding: "I love you."

He may have been saying au revoir – but it could well have been goodbye.

Read more:

'Snowfall should be bigger than 5-1' – Maddy and TC answer your Arc questions

'Lads who had a fiver each-way on her would have got the guts of 400 quid back'

Murphy counting himself lucky after avoiding serious injury in pre-Arc incident

Get your first month of Racing Post Members' Club for just £10!Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code AIDAN to get your first month for just £10*

Subscribe now

If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £10, renews at full price thereafter.