Nicky Henderson Announces Death of Star Horse Sir Gino

Prominent racehorse trainer Nicky Henderson announced on Tuesday the death of his star six-year-old jumper Sir Gino, who was euthanized at a veterinary hospital after succumbing to a severe infection following a pelvic fracture sustained during a race at Cheltenham in January.

The announcement came via a post on X, where Henderson detailed the horse's battle with deep-seated infections that had previously been overcome the year before, allowing Sir Gino to return triumphantly to win the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. This time, however, the infection spread too extensively despite the pelvis injury showing signs of healing. "We have very sadly lost the battle to overcome Sir Gino's ailment and he has had to be put to sleep at the veterinary hospital this morning," Henderson wrote. He added that the horse "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."

Sir Gino, owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, had been a standout in the sport, remaining unbeaten in his seven completed starts. These...