Talented Novice Hurdler Sir Gino Dies Unexpectedly, Tributes Pour In

Nicky Henderson confirmed Tuesday that Sir Gino, a six-year-old unbeaten in seven starts and owners Joe and Marie Donnelly's leading prospect, had been fighting deep-seated infections at an equine hospital and was euthanized when those infections proved insurmountable.

The horse was pulled up after suffering a fractured pelvis during the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle on Trials Day at Cheltenham, forcing him to miss the Cheltenham Festival as treatment began. While the fracture was progressing toward healing, the underlying problem was a severe, deep-seated infection that had spread beyond containment. Henderson noted it was a recurrence of a similar problem the horse had overcome the prior year when he returned to win the Christmas Hurdle.

In his statement posted on X, Henderson wrote: "He has been fighting from severe deep-seated infections that he had overcome last year prior to his brilliant return in the Christmas Hurdle but this time it had spread too far although his fractured pelvis was healing well. He was not only brilliant but one of the nicest kindest horses you could ever wish to see and this leaves an awful hole in Seven Barrows this morning and a very sad day for Joe and Marie Donnelly."

Henderson added: "They have had some wonderful horses over the years and they both care so much for them so losing such a young star with his life in front of him is particularly cruel. Sir Gino was unbeaten in his seven (completed) starts including three Grade Ones over hurdles and an amazing display in a Grade Two Chase on his one and only start over fences. We would have to say that he was just at least as good as any of all the amazing horses we have been lucky enough to have trained. Unforgettable in every way." Sir Gino had been a leading favourite for the Champion Hurdle before his injury at Cheltenham's Trials Day in January.

Having overcome a similar infection problem the prior year, the six-year-old returned to win the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day before fracturing his pelvis when running at Cheltenham in January. That comeback, which came after 364 days off, had cemented his status as one of the most exciting young hurdlers in training and made what followed all the more cruel.

Statistically, Sir Gino's record was exceptional: unbeaten in all seven starts, including three Grade 1 victories over hurdles and a notable display in a Grade 2 Chase on his sole foray over fences. He had been the favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham prior to being pulled up, a status that underscored both his perceived class and the scale of what has been lost for connections and the racing calendar.

The death of Sir Gino removes a clear racing favourite and alters immediate plans for a high-profile season that had already been disrupted by injury. At just six years old, a horse that Henderson described as potentially the finest he had ever trained will never get the chance to prove it on the biggest stages jumping has to offer.