Champion two-year-old Toormore put down after suffering fatal injury in Dubai

Former champion two-year-old Toormore has had to be put down after suffering a serious leg injury in training in Dubai, Godolphin announced on Wednesday.

The son of Arakan – described as a "game-changer" for former owners Middleham Park Racing – won seven of his 23 starts and more than £1 million in prize-money during his glittering career, the highlight of which was his victory in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh in 2013.

Then trained by Richard Hannon snr and owned by Middleham Park and James Pak, Toormore was crowned champion juvenile that year. He made a successful return the following spring when landing the Group 3 Craven Stakes under a penalty, and subsequently finished seventh in the 2,000 Guineas.

He was placed at Group 1 level as a three-year-old and was then purchased by Godolphin the following year, making a victorious start in his new colours in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

In 2016, Toormore won the Group 2 Sandown Mile and acquitted himself well at Group 1 level before being retired to stand as a stallion.

After proving unsuccessful commercially in his new career, Toormore was returned to training with Charlie Appleby last year with a view to being campaigned in Dubai this winter.

Appleby said: "Unfortunately Toormore met with a setback in Dubai which meant we had to put him down.

"He had a great career as part of the Godolphin operation before joining me and gave much pleasure to his previous owners Middleham Park, during which time he was champion two-year-old."

Tim Palin of Middleham Park said: "Toormore was an absolute legend of a horse for us as he cost only 36,000gns and went on to become champion two-year-old in 2013, when he was competing with all the bluebloods.

"He was a real game-changer for Middleham Park as we became 50 per cent bigger as an operation because of him. Richard Hughes used to get on well with him and he went on to do well for Godolphin.

"He's been a hard act to follow as to get another one like him on our budget is nigh on impossible these days."

TOORMORE IN NUMBERS

7 age

23 runs

7 wins

122 Highest Racing Post Rating

1 Group 1 wins

36,000gns cost to buy him

£1,051,696 prize-money earned