Crowd-favourite and stalwart of the Flat racing stayers’ division, Trueshan, has been put down after picking up a serious injury in the Goodwood Cup on 29 July.
The nine-year-old, who was purchased for 31,000gns at the Tattersalls Breeze-Up sale in 2018, was trained by Alan King, owned by the Singula Partnership, and earnt more than £2m in prize money over his 35 career starts.
“He was a very tough horse, and a very sound horse,” Alan King said to ITV Racing. “He didn’t miss a day of exercise at home really and we were careful not to run him on quick ground as he didn’t perform on it. He was a kind horse too.”
Trueshan, who was mostly ridden by Hollie Doyle during his career, notched up some impressive results, including winning the 2021 Goodwood Cup, 2022 Northumberland Plate and the Prix du Cadran in 2021 and 2023.
“When he won the Goodwood Cup, which was my first Group One in England, it was very special but he was a wonderful racehorse,” said Alan, who trains at Barbury in Wiltshire.
“He’s coming back to Barbury. We have a graveyard here so he’s going to be with Viking Flagship, Balder Succes and Katchit, which is where he should be.”
Hollie, who partnered Trueshan on 23 of his starts and with whom she had a wonderful relationship, called him a “special, special horse” while speaking to the PA news agency.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I’m just devastated,” said Hollie. “He’s been amazing for me, a star, and those memories we have together are some of my very best.”
The BHA’s director of equine health and welfare James Given said to ITV Racing: “What has happened, unfortunately, is an accident mid-race in a straight line going up the hill. His left-hind pastern broke, which left him in a situation that wasn’t recoverable from. Alan was able to get down there and assess him with the vets and they felt there was no option really but to put him down.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
