Godolphin have retired their champion stayer Trawlerman having sustained a tendon lesion following his Lonsdale Cup preparation.
The homebred son of Golden Horn amassed over £2m in prize-money. After winning at the Goodwood Festival, Trawlerman won the prestigious Ebor Handicap at York in 2022.
Trawlerman would soon come to the fore of the staying division, with a third to then reigning stayer Trueshan. He got off the mark in graded company when a surprise winner at Ascot, beating Kyprios.
He would succumb to Kyprios twice thereafter, but in that one’s absence he landed the Ascot Gold Cup. He took the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day, before being diagnosed with a rare eye condition.
He failed to fend off the younger legs of Scandinavia twice this season, but their duel at Ascot will long in the memory.
Trawlerman a ‘much loved member’ at Clarehaven, says John Gosden
John Gosden gave a glowing account of his star stayer, as he announced on the Godolphin website: “Trawlerman is happy and well. But unfortunately he came out of the Goodwood Cup with a leg issue and is now being retired.
“At eight years old, he has become part of the family here and won the Long Distance Cup twice. And the Ascot Gold Cup in a very fast record time, which is unlikely to be equalled. As well as the Ebor.
“He has won over £2 million in prize-money and remained at the top of his game this year when second in the Ascot Gold Cup. Beaten a head giving 1lb to the winner.
“He will be retired to Wood Ditton Stud. Where Godolphin have wonderful facilities that he knows well having been there for holiday.
“For all of us at Clarehaven Stables, just like Stradivarius, Trawlerman has become a much-loved member of the family. And there are a lot of people here who will miss him particularly Ben de Paiva, who looks after him. And Richard Wilkinson, who rode him through most of his career.”
William Buick had rode Trawlerman in his last nine races, winning on four occasions. The Godolphin retained jockey told the Press Association, via the Racing Post: “He ran in three Gold Cups, finished second in two and won one, and he was a joy to ride. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and turned up each time he ran. He was very consistent and a credit to John and Thady and the team at Clarehaven.
“He’s eight now, but he won the Gold Cup at seven when beating younger horses. He’s still been performing at a very high level, and that takes a bit of doing. It takes a horse with a great constitution.”