Two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Shishkin has died, his trainer Nicky Henderson has announced.
Shishkin was due to face Galopin Des Champs in a mouthwatering clash at the Punchestown Festival this week but Henderson took to X last night to reveal the devastating news.
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He posted: “Tragically we’ve lost Shishkin this evening after he got cast in his stable and fractured his hind leg.
“Everyone involved with Seven Barrows, particularly his owners, Joe and Marie Donnelly, Jaydon [Lee, Shishkin’s groom], Nico [de Boinville] and George [Daly, Henderson’s assistant] are obviously devastated that such a great horse, friend and warrior has gone.
“He was due to leave for Punchestown tomorrow morning but sadly this is now not to be. He was an absolute superstar and his CV is testament to that – except the King George is not in it even though we believe it should have been.
“The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle were his Cheltenham highlights, but the battle with Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot was probably his greatest.
“This is a very sad night. He was our star and we will never forget him. Thank you Shishkin for the wonderful memories.”
Shishkin won 14 of his 21 races overall.
We have some very sad news to break this evening regarding Shishkin. pic.twitter.com/RZScNQ3NFG
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) April 28, 2024
