A dark cloud hung over the opening day of Glorious Goodwood following the tragic death of Trueshan, one of Britain’s most admired stayers. The nine-year-old gelding, known for his enduring partnership with jockey Hollie Doyle, suffered a catastrophic injury during the Group One Goodwood Cup. While galloping uphill mid-race, Trueshan fractured his left-hind pastern. Despite swift intervention from veterinary staff, the injury proved irrecoverable, and he was humanely euthanised.
Trueshan’s career was defined by his resilience and consistency at the top level. He secured multiple marquee victories including the Goodwood Cup in 2021, two Prix du Cadran wins in France, three Long Distance Cups on Champions Day at Ascot, and a memorable triumph in the 2022 Northumberland Plate under a significant weight. His aversion to firm ground often dictated his race calendar, but when conditions suited, he delivered in style.
His loss was deeply felt by his rider. Doyle, visibly shaken, described him as a “special, special horse” and acknowledged the pivotal role he played in her rise to the top of the sport. The racing world, too, mourned the passing of a gallant competitor whose performances captivated fans.
The Goodwood Cup was won by Scandinavia, a progressive three-year-old trained by Aidan O’Brien. In a thrilling finish, he edged out stablemate and race favourite Illinois in a head-to-head battle down the straight. The colt’s grit and determination mirrored the qualities of his sire, Justify, and he now heads to the St Leger as the ante-post favourite.
Attention now turns to the Sussex Stakes, where Field Of Gold is heavily favoured to confirm his dominance among the three-year-old milers. A convincing winner at Royal Ascot, he faces a slightly tougher field including Henri Matisse and Rosallion. However, the momentum and form are firmly with John and Thady Gosden’s colt.
Elsewhere on the card, promising runners such as Sing Us A Song, Tabiti, Ameeq, and Bintjeddah look to make their mark in supporting races. Each brings strong form and the potential to step up in class.
Yet, despite the racing drama to come, the day will be remembered most for the loss of Trueshan—a true warrior of the turf, gone too soon.
