Racing fans have been dealt a major blow as Sir Gino, one of the most exciting prospects in National Hunt racing, has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.
Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed the news on Monday, revealing that the five-year-old, who had initially suffered a small wound on his hind leg, has now developed an infection affecting his ligaments, requiring an extended period of treatment.
Unexpected Setback
Sir Gino was set to race at Newbury on Saturday, but the minor injury forced him to withdraw. Initially deemed a short-term issue, further examinations at Donnington Grove Equine Hospital revealed that an infection had spread to the ligaments in his hind leg, leading to his immediate hospitalisation.
Henderson shared the unfortunate update in a statement on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is a dreadful blow to Joe and Marie Donnelly and everybody at Seven Barrows, but we will be doing everything possible to help this incredible bright light back to full fitness next season.”
A Rising Star Sidelined
Sir Gino had been flawless in his juvenile hurdling campaign, winning all three starts last season. While he missed the Cheltenham Festival due to health concerns within Henderson’s stable, he returned with a dominant performance in the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, stepping in for stablemate Constitution Hill.
With Constitution Hill back in action by Christmas, Sir Gino was then sent over fences in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton, where he delivered a stunning victory over Ballyburn, last season’s top novice hurdler. His effortless performance saw bookmakers slash his odds for the Arkle, positioning him as a standout contender for the Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Showdown Off the Cards
Henderson had been eager to give Sir Gino more race experience before Cheltenham, with Newbury seen as a key test. However, his withdrawal led to uncertainty over his next target—a dilemma that is now irrelevant as the injury has ruled him out completely.
His highly anticipated Arkle clash with Majborough is now off the table, with bookmakers reacting swiftly by cutting Majborough’s odds to as low as 8-15 for the Novices’ Chase.
With Sir Gino out of action, Henderson and his team will now focus on his recovery, hoping the talented young chaser can return stronger for the 2025 season.