Nicky Henderson has paid an emotional tribute to Shishkin after his premature dying as a result of an damage incurred in his secure.
The gelding’s star began to rise throughout his hurdling profession, which peaked with a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victory on the Cheltenham Pageant in 2020.
He was then an on the spot success as a chaser, gathering seven consecutive wins, together with the Arkle, the Maghull and the Desert Orchid Chase, in addition to a memorable Clarence Home win following a duel up the Ascot straight with Energumene.
That profitable streak, which ran to 10 races if his late hurdles type is included, got here to an finish ultimately however the gelding nonetheless continued to point out flashes of full brilliance.
He received the Ascot Chase by 16 lengths final 12 months and the Bowl at Aintree when stepping up in journey, and regardless of refusing to race on his return to the previous monitor for the 1965 Chase, he then seemed the possible winner of the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day earlier than stumbling with the race at his mercy.
His last success got here within the Denman Chase at Newbury in February, after which his Cheltenham Gold Cup bid was scuppered by a poor scope and he chased residence Gerri Colombe to complete fourth at Aintree earlier this month.
Shishkin in full flight within the Denman Chase
Shishkin was as a result of run in Wednesday’s Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup, however fractured a hind leg after being forged in his field on Sunday and couldn’t be saved.
“It was horrendous to be trustworthy with you, he simply did not deserve that,” Henderson advised Sky Sports activities Racing. “There was nothing we might do. We had a military of vets and one of the best individuals on the planet however they could not restore it, I am afraid.
“It is simply tragic, however everybody has been fairly outstanding and also you simply have to understand how in style a horse can turn into.”
Henderson nominated his 12-length Arkle victory as a selected spotlight, however rated his epic battle with Energumene as the height of Shishkin’s profession.
He mentioned: “He received six Grade Ones, it ought to have been seven, as he ought to have received the King George actually and I imagine he would have carried out.
“One in every of his best days was when he received the Arkle at Cheltenham, he was sensible, however that match with Energumene at Ascot within the Clarence Home was most likely his best race, as a result of he needed to combat very arduous that day.
“We have been all set for Cheltenham and he could not go there, we have been simply actually trying ahead to Punchestown and he was as a result of go away this morning.
“He was a stupendous horse, earlier within the season we despatched him off to Zara Tindall to do some dressage to maintain him amused and so they adored him over there too – he might have carried out something.
“He was pretty, he was a really light individual too – he was very sort.”
