Legendary racehorse Trueshan suffers fatal injury as Glorious Goodwood plunged into despair

The first day of Glorious Goodwood was plunged into despair after public favourite Trueshan broke down with a serious injury. The nine-year-old Group 1-winning stayer had helped establish regular partner Hollie Doyle as one of the top jockeys in the country.

Under trainer Alan King he won 16 races, including the 2021 Goodwood Cup, one of four victories gained at the highest level, and earned more than £2 million in prize-money. He had also been placed third and fourth in two other appearances in the 2m showpiece.

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His appearances had been dependent on having ease in the ground and was only appearing for the second time in 2025.

However he broke down as the field travelled along the far side of track. Doyle pulled him away from his opponents and was eventually able to pull him.

The rest of the race continued amid a subdued atmosphere with Scandinavia gradually overwhelming Illinois to deliver a one-two for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

But once it was completed immediate thoughts reverted to the fate of Trueshan before the news everyone had feared was confirmed.

ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin said: "I'm afraid it's the news we didn't want, the desperately sad news that Trueshan got a fatal injury in the Goodwood Cup and the heroic nine-year-old has had to be put down.

"It's just how cruel this sport can be. My heart absolutely goes out, not just to the owners and Alan King, but Cheryl Binner who led up Trueshan today.

"Cheryl will be devastated, Hollie Doyle will be absolutely gutted with the connection she had with this horse.

"Today was the 21st time she'd ridden him. They had ten wins together. They won all over Europe. Remember that Northumberland Plate win with all that weight, the win at Longchamp, the wins at Ascot, the win here in 2021.

"He was just a fabulous racehorse who had the most amazing life, winning 16 of 35 races and for the singular partnership we are very much thinking about you here today. That's just desperately sad news."

A statement from the racecourse said: "Goodwood can confirm that during the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes, Trueshan sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfel condolences are with all connections."

The BHA's director of equine health and welfare James Given said: "First of all I want to express my sincere condolences to all the connections and everyone to do with that horse. No one is going to feel this more than them. That horse he's been a stalwart, he's been a friend, he's been everything to them.

"What has happened unfortunately is just an accident mid race in straight line going up the hill. His left hind pastern broke which left him with a situation which wasn't recoverable from. Alan was able to get down there and assess him with the vet and they felt there was no option really but to put him down."