Popular stayer Double Trigger has made his last racecourse appearance and will be retired to stud.

The decision has been made earlier than expected after the seven-year-old was found to have picked up an injury when winning the Doncaster Cup two weeks ago.

Mark Johnston's flashy chestnut returned to the winner's circle on the Town Moor with a slight swelling on the inside of his right fore. His intended swansong was the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp next weekend.

"Obviously it is sad to see him go but the good thing is that he has ended on a winning note in the Doncaster Cup," Johnson said.

"The injury he has suffered would not have prevented him from racing again but he would not have been able to get him 100 per cent for the Prix du Cadran and we didn't want to go there half-cock."

The Middleham trainer's best memory of the horse, who will take up stallion duties at East Burrow Farm, East Worlington in Devon, was his debut victory at Redcar five years ago.

Double Trigger won 14 races including a Gold Cup, three Goodwood Cups and three Doncaster Cups.