A prominent name on the racetrack, Shishkin, has died following a tragic accident it was reported on Sunday, April 28th 2024.
Nicky Henderson announced the racing stable, Seven Barrows, had unexpectedly lost Shishkin after he became cast in his stable and fractured a hind leg.
“He was an absolute superstar and his CV is testament to that”, said Henderson on X.
“The Supreme Novice Hurdle and the Arkle were his Cheltenham Highlights, but the battle with Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot was probably his greatest.” he continued.
The Cheltenham winning top ‘two-mile novice chaser’, owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly with winnings amassing one million pounds, was due to go head to head with Galopin Des Champs at the Punchestown Festival on May 1st, 2024.
Bred by CJ & EB Bennett in 2014, Shishkin was purchased by the Donnelly’s from the Tattersalls December Sale in 2018 for £170,000. His career success has continued to grace the news pages since his 2019 season debut. Winning 11 of his 12 first races he later overcome the odds by beating a rare bone disease in 2022. The then 9 year old bounced back to win the Ascot Chase in 2023.
Racing trainers, racecourses and equestrian brands have all paid tribute to the Cheltenham star on social media. Ascot Racecourse, Connolly’s Red Mills and the British Horseracing Authority have all left message of condolence to the owners, Henderson and his team.
Shishkin was last ridden by jockey, Nico de Boinville on the 11th April, 2024 at Aintree with his last win on the 24th February 2024 in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.
Our thoughts are with all those who were close to the horse.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.