State Man Ruled Out for Season, Mullins Faces Champion Hurdle Challenge

State Man, the reigning Champion Hurdle winner, has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a tendon injury. The horse, trained by renowned trainer Willie Mullins, sustained the injury during a recent training session on the gallops. This setback comes as a significant blow for Mullins, who had high hopes for State Man’s return to action at the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown scheduled for November 18, 2023.

Mullins confirmed the news in a statement to the Sporting Life, stating, “Sadly, State Man has suffered a tendon injury on the gallops here. He’ll definitely be out for the rest of the season.” This injury not only sidelines a talented competitor but also shifts the focus for Mullins as he prepares for the upcoming Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2024.

Despite this disappointing news, Mullins has several strong contenders to consider for the prestigious race. Among them is Lossiemouth, the winner of this year’s Mares’ Hurdle, who is currently vying for favouritism alongside Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, both priced at approximately 7/2.

Additionally, Mullins may also field the lightly-raced Anzadam, who is listed at 6/1. With these horses in the mix, Mullins remains optimistic about his chances of securing a sixth Champion Hurdle title despite the absence of State Man.

The absence of State Man serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of horse racing, where injuries can swiftly alter the landscape of competition. As the season progresses, both Mullins and racing fans will keenly watch how his other contenders perform in the lead-up to the Champion Hurdle, hoping to fill the void left by State Man’s departure from the track.