Willie Mullins’ Star State Man Ruled Out for Season Due to Injury

The horse racing community is reeling from the news that State Man, a prominent star trained by Willie Mullins, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious tendon injury. The setback occurred on the gallops at Closutton on Wednesday morning, impacting the plans for this elite eight-year-old ahead of a crucial racing schedule.

State Man, who secured the Champion Hurdle title in 2024, was preparing for a return to competition in the upcoming Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown later this month. Coach Mullins confirmed the injury during an interview with 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.”

The absence of State Man marks a significant loss for Mullins, who has guided the horse to an impressive record of 12 Grade One victories. This includes three wins each at the Irish Champion Hurdles and the Punchestown Champion Hurdles, along with his celebrated win at the Cheltenham Festival last year. His most recent race was on May 2, 2024, when he triumphed at the Boodles Champion Hurdle, defeating the previous Champion Hurdle winner, Golden Ace, by a margin of four-and-three-quarter lengths.

With State Man sidelined, bookmakers have reacted swiftly to the news. Paddy Power has updated their odds for the Champion Hurdle, placing Mullins’ other horse, Lossiemouth, among the joint-favourites alongside Dan Skelton’s The New Lion, both now at 3-1 odds.

The impact of State Man’s injury extends beyond his own racing schedule; it reshapes the competitive landscape for upcoming events, particularly the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how Mullins and his team adapt in light of this unexpected challenge.

As the racing community awaits further updates, the focus will shift towards the potential of Lossiemouth and other contenders at the Cheltenham Festival, highlighting the ever-changing dynamics of the sport.