Nicky Henderson has confirmed the death of his multiple Grade 1 winner Sir Gino, who passed away after failing to overcome severe deep-seated infections. The six-year-old horse, owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, had been battling these infections since suffering a broken pelvis during the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.

Henderson had been hopeful Sir Gino could recover at his Seven Barrows yard, but the infections proved too severe. The trainer revealed the horse had to be put to sleep at the veterinary hospital. Despite his fractured pelvis healing well, the infections had spread too far, leaving Henderson and the Donnellys devastated by the loss of such a young champion.

Sir Gino maintained an unbeaten record throughout his career, winning all seven starts including three Grade 1 hurdling events and a Grade 2 Chase. Henderson described him as "one of the nicest kindest horses you could ever wish to see" and "at least as good as any of all the amazing horses" he has trained, calling his death "particularly cruel" for a horse with his entire future ahead of him.