Sir Gino's Recovery Hampered by Infection After Pelvic Fracture
Sir Gino, the talented jumper, has encountered a significant setback in his recovery from a serious injury, with trainer Nicky Henderson disclosing that the horse is now battling an infection. This development comes after the star performer was ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival for the second year in a row, following a fractured pelvis sustained during the International Hurdle in January.
Injury Details and Veterinary Scrutiny
The injury occurred when Sir Gino was pulled up in The Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham, marking the first defeat of his career. He was immediately transported to a veterinary clinic in Tewkesbury, where initial concerns about his survival were alleviated within 24 hours. Henderson had previously expressed optimism about a full recovery, albeit noting it would be a long journey back.
However, the situation has grown more complex. In an update from Huntingdon, where Henderson saddled Act Of Innocence to victory in the Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle, he explained, The injury is a fractured pelvis but that is not the main issue at the moment. He added, He is under pretty intense scrutiny due to an infectious sort of thing internally which is worrying them a little bit and it’s a slightly different battlefield.
Historical Context and Previous Setbacks
This is not the first time Sir Gino has faced health challenges. A year ago, Henderson was forced to withdraw the horse from the Game Spirit Chase after a minor leg injury escalated into a serious infection. As a result, Sir Gino did not return to competition until 12 months later, when he triumphed over last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Reflecting on the current predicament, Henderson lamented, He doesn’t get much luck and if ever a horse deserved it, it is him. He praised Sir Gino's abilities, stating, He’s so good it’s ridiculous – you have the best horse in the world but can’t do anything with him.
Current Care and Future Plans
Sir Gino remains under veterinary care in Gloucestershire, with efforts underway to transfer him back to his own hospital facility. Henderson emphasized, He can only come home when they are happy and it’s time. The goal is to relocate him to where he spent six weeks recovering last year, as he is expected to be much happier there.
Meanwhile, Act Of Innocence, another horse from Henderson's stable, has seen his odds improve following the recent victory. Ladbrokes has cut his price to 10-1 from 16-1 for the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, indicating growing confidence in his potential.
The focus, however, remains squarely on Sir Gino's health. With the fracture deemed manageable, the infection now poses the primary concern, requiring close monitoring and collaborative efforts between veterinary teams to ensure his well-being and eventual return to racing.
