Ascot hero Trueshan dies at Goodwood Festival after being pulled up live on ITV

Irish Daily Mirror

29-07-2025

Legendary horse Trueshan has died following a fatal injury during the Goodwood Cup. Hollie Doyle was riding the Alan King-trained contender when he suffered a serious leg injury in Tuesday's showpiece event.
The nine-year-old Ascot winner was in contention for the lead in the £500,000 race when tragedy struck. Doyle attempted to get the horse back on its feet when it became apparent something wasn't right.
Speaking on air after the incident, ITV Racing host Ed Chamberlin said: "I just feel so sad about Trueshan." It was later confirmed the horse had to be put down.
An ambulance was called onto the track as sad scenes enveloped the racecourse in West Sussex. However, fans were soon hit with the news that the star would not recover.
"Unfortunately, Trueshan suffered a fatal injury in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup," read a statement from ITV. "Our thoughts go out to connections at this difficult time."
Trueshan had previously competed in three other editions of the Goodwood Cup. The French-bred gelding won the race in 2021, as well as recording two other impressive finishes of third and fourth. Hollie Doyle was a long-time partner of Trueshan and was riding the horse when he suffered the fatal injury (Image: PA)
The horse accumulated winnings of a little less than £1.9million over the course of his glittering on-track career. His greatest success was winning the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot three years straight between 2020 and 2022.
Doyle jockeyed the veteran for each of those three triumphs and shared a particular connection. Only two other horses have won the British Champions Long Distance Cup three or more times in a row: High Line (1969-1971) and Further Flight (1991-95).
Trueshan competed in 34 races over the course of his career and won 16 of those. That record will ensure his legacy as one of the greatest long-distance horses of his generation.
The tragedy marked the second race in succession that required the ambulance to be called onto the track. The first unfolded after Kinross was kicked in the leg moments before the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes got underway at 2.30pm.
Kinross appeared to be bleeding above the knee and was pulled from the race shortly after.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story