Alan King toasted success in his first Group I winner on the Flat when Trueshan saw off a sustained challenge from Away He Goes in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup today, winning by 3 3/4l going away. The stable's first Group I completes a transition to a fully dual purpose stable that is barely 4 years in the making, and has established King as one of the principal dual-purpose trainers in the country.
The highlight of the opening day at Glorious Goodwood, reclaiming that apposite adjective with bumper crowds once again after a behind closed doors fixture in 2020, was also part of a vintage treble for Hollie Doyle, who just 7 months ago was a leading contender for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020. She too is firmly established at the peak of her profession.
Trueshan, a five year old French-bred by Planteur, out of Shao Line, continues to improve since winning a middle distance novice event at Wolverhampton in August 2019. His scalps include some very valuable handicaps at Newmarket, Haydock, and the apogee of his 2020 season, a 7 1/2l victory in the Qipco Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day at Ascot last October, a victory that won his connections over £170,000 in a single race.
The withdrawal of Stradivarius on ground may have played a part; however, as every trainer and rider will tell you, you have to be in it to win it. Soft ground brings out the best in Trueshan, last seen a close 3 3/4l 6th in the Northumberland Plate. If the handicapper doesn't mark him up too harshly, either the Yorkshire Cup or Ebor seem a logical next step. But with a good horse, more options internationally also open up.
The last time Barbury had a horse of this calibre on the Flat was in the days of Brown Jack in the mid-thirties. Trueshan has big boots to fill.
Alan King toasted success in his first Group I winner on the Flat when Trueshan saw off a sustained challenge from Away He Goes in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup today, winning by 3 3/4l going away. The stable's first Group I completes a transition to a fully dual purpose stable that is barely 4 years in the making, and has established King as one of the principal dual-purpose trainers in the country.
The highlight of the opening day at Glorious Goodwood, reclaiming that apposite adjective with bumper crowds once again after a behind closed doors fixture in 2020, was also part of a vintage treble for Hollie Doyle, who just 7 months ago was a leading contender for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020. She too is firmly established at the peak of her profession.
Trueshan, a five year old French-bred by Planteur, out of Shao Line, continues to improve since winning a middle distance novice event at Wolverhampton in August 2019. His scalps include some very valuable handicaps at Newmarket, Haydock, and the apogee of his 2020 season, a 7 1/2l victory in the Qipco Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day at Ascot last October, a victory that won his connections over £170,000 in a single race.
The withdrawal of Stradivarius on ground may have played a part; however, as every trainer and rider will tell you, you have to be in it to win it. Soft ground brings out the best in Trueshan, last seen a close 3 3/4l 6th in the Northumberland Plate. If the handicapper doesn't mark him up too harshly, either the Yorkshire Cup or Ebor seem a logical next step. But with a good horse, more options internationally also open up.
The last time Barbury had a horse of this calibre on the Flat was in the days of Brown Jack in the mid-thirties. Trueshan has big boots to fill.
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