Willie Mullins' Star Hurdle Winner State Man Done for Season Due to Tendon Injury.
Trainer Willie Mullins has been dealt a significant blow with the news that his champion hurdle winner State Man will be out of commission for the entire season due to a tendon injury. The eight-year-old horse, who boasts an impressive 12 Grade One victories including three Irish Champion Hurdles and the 2024 Cheltenham Festival title, had been looking set to successfully defend its crown at Prestbury Park in March.
However, State Man suffered a setback when it fell at the final obstacle during practice, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of the tendon injury. Mullins now confirmed that his star horse will be ruled out for the rest of the season.
State Man's loss is likely to have significant implications for the upcoming Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, a race in which he has previously won on two occasions. With no clear replacement in sight, his stablemate Lossiemouth has moved into joint-favouritism with Dan Skelton's The New Lion at 3-1 odds.
The news will be a major disappointment for Mullins and his fans who had high hopes for State Man's defence of its Cheltenham title. However, the Irish trainer remained optimistic in a statement to Sporting Life, saying that "State Man has suffered a tendon injury on the gallops here... he'll definitely be out for the rest of the season."
Trainer Willie Mullins has been dealt a significant blow with the news that his champion hurdle winner State Man will be out of commission for the entire season due to a tendon injury. The eight-year-old horse, who boasts an impressive 12 Grade One victories including three Irish Champion Hurdles and the 2024 Cheltenham Festival title, had been looking set to successfully defend its crown at Prestbury Park in March.
However, State Man suffered a setback when it fell at the final obstacle during practice, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of the tendon injury. Mullins now confirmed that his star horse will be ruled out for the rest of the season.
State Man's loss is likely to have significant implications for the upcoming Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, a race in which he has previously won on two occasions. With no clear replacement in sight, his stablemate Lossiemouth has moved into joint-favouritism with Dan Skelton's The New Lion at 3-1 odds.
The news will be a major disappointment for Mullins and his fans who had high hopes for State Man's defence of its Cheltenham title. However, the Irish trainer remained optimistic in a statement to Sporting Life, saying that "State Man has suffered a tendon injury on the gallops here... he'll definitely be out for the rest of the season."
I'm really gutted for Willie Mullins and State Man 
. 12 Grade One wins is insane! He's like the GOAT of jump racing right now 
. Losing him to a tendon injury stinks, especially with the Morgiana Hurdle coming up 
. I was rooting for him to defend his Cheltenham title 
. Guess you can't predict these things though... hope he gets back to racing soon and shows us what he's got! 
so unlucky for Willie Mullins and State Man! 12 Grade One wins is insane 
and comes back stronger next season 
this is like, a huge blow to the horse racing world. 12 Grade One wins and now it's all being taken away from him due to an injury... I hope he gets him back to racing soon 
but meanwhile, it's gonna be tough for his fans who were really counting on State Man taking home that Cheltenham title again 
like, can't they just get it together already?! State Man was basically unbeatable and now he's done for the year. that's so bittersweet for willie mullins and his fans... I'm sure they're all just thrilled to have a "tendon injury" on their horse 
, sounds like just an excuse to me 
. anyway, looks like lossiemouth is gonna try and fill state man's shoes... wish him luck lol
! tendon injuries are so serious, hope State Man recovers soon 
. but 8 years old already? that's crazy 
. what's next for Willie Mullins' stable then? is Lossiemouth gonna step up and fill State Man's shoes? 
I need to know more about horse injuries, are they like human sports injuries or something? 
Like, it's great that Willie Mullins is being realistic about his horse's injury and not rushing him back too soon. But omg, who's gonna fill those shoes? 
... and what about all the other horses waiting in the wings? 
.
. Willie Mullins must be feeling like he's lost his favourite pen - it's always by your side, but then suddenly it's just... gone 
State Man's season is over 
3-1 odds on Lossiemouth? 
Dan Skelton's The New Lion might just take the win 
You'd think a tendon injury would be something you can fix up quickly, but apparently not in this case. Hopefully he'll be back to his old self next season 
, and now it's gonna miss out on the whole season due to a tendon injury. That's tough luck for him and his team. Lossiemouth might try to fill in the gap but its not the same as having State Man at the track 
. With Lossiemouth stepping up now, things could be interesting! Maybe this gives some other horses a chance to shine?
omg what a bummer for willie mullins & his fans!!! state man was lookin like a shoe-in 4 defencin its cheltenham title