Nicky Henderson has reported that stable star Shishkin has tragically died following an accident at Seven Barrows.
Henderson explained in a statement on X that the multiple Grade 1 hero fractured his hind leg after getting cast in his box.
The tragic news comes just days before the Nicky Henderson-trained star was due to take on dual Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
"Tragically we have lost Shishkin this evening after he got cast in his stable and fractured his hind leg," read a statement on Henderson's X account.
"Everyone involved with Seven Barrows, particularly his owners, Joe and Marie Donnelly, Jaydon, Nico and George 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.
Owned by the Donnollys, the enigmatic ten-year-old rose to prominence during a dominant novice hurdling season, culminating in a victory in the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Twelve months later, he completed back-to-back wins at the Festival in the Grade 1 Arkle Trophy and remained unbeaten until being pulled up in the 2022 Champion Chase. A step up in trip was in order for the 22/23 campaign and the gelding appeared revitalised by a comfortable victory in the Ascot Chase before finishing second in the Ryanair over two-and-a-half miles.
This season, Shishkin had earned a quirky reputation following his refusal to race on seasonal reappearance in the 1965 Chase at Ascot. He was in contention when unseating Nico de Boinville at the second-last fence in the King George VI Chase before bouncing back to claim a dominant Denman Chase victory at Newbury in February.
"He was an absolute superstar, and his CV is a testament to that – except the King George is not in it, even though we believe it should have been," added Henderson.
"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."
