‘This leaves an awful hole’: farewell to talented young horse lost to infection

Trainer Nicky Henderson has paid tribute to star hurdler Sir Gino, who was put down in veterinary hospital today (24 March) owing to a severe infection.

The six-year-old was unbeaten before he was pulled up in his final race, the Unibet Hurdle on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials day (26 January) and was found to have a fractured pelvis. Prior to that, he had won all seven starts, including three Grade Ones over hurdles and his sole start over fences, but had missed a large chunk of last season owing to a persistent infection.

Mr Henderson remembered Sir Gino as “not only brilliant, but one of the nicest, kindest horses you could ever wish to see.”

“This leaves an awful hole in Seven Barrows this morning and a very sad day for [owners] Joe and Marie Donnelly,” he said. “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.”

He added: “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.

“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.”

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