Unbeaten racehorse Sir Gino dies after infection as Nicky Henderson reveals Cheltenham injury and final moments

Sir Gino, one of the most loved racehorses in British racing, has died after a long and difficult fight with illness. Trainer Nicky Henderson shared the sad news on Tuesday, saying the six-year-old could not recover from a serious infection and had to be put to sleep at a veterinary hospital. The news has left fans, owners, and the racing world in shock, especially because Sir Gino was still young and had so much ahead of him.The horse had already gone through a lot this year. In January, during a run at Cheltenham, Sir Gino suffered a fractured pelvis. While he was slowly healing from that injury, he picked up another infection. This time, things became much worse. Even though he had beaten a similar issue last year and made a strong comeback, his body could not fight it again.

Nicky Henderson shares emotional message as Sir Gino dies after infection despite Cheltenham injury recovery

Nicky Henderson spoke openly about the loss and how hard the past few weeks had been. In his message on X, he said, “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.” He explained that the infection had spread too far this time, even though the fractured pelvis was healing well.He also spoke about the horse’s nature, not just his talent. “He was not only brilliant but one of the nicest kindest horses you could ever wish to see,” Henderson wrote. He added that the loss has left a big emptiness at Seven Barrows and called it a very sad day for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly.Sir Gino’s record makes the loss even harder to take. He was unbeaten in all seven of his completed races. That included three Grade One wins over hurdles and an impressive Grade Two chase performance in his only run over fences. Henderson even said the horse was as good as any he had ever trained, calling him “unforgettable in every way.”Fans quickly reacted to the news, sharing their sadness online. One user wrote, “Truly heartbreaking. Sir Gino wasn’t just a champion on the track he was a once-in-a-generation spirit.” Another fan shared how lucky they felt to have seen him in person, while others sent support to Henderson and the owners.Sir Gino was more than just a winning horse. He had a strong connection with fans and those around him. That is why his loss feels so personal to many people in the sport.