Jumps superstar Altior is critically ill in an equine hospital after being struck down with colic.
The four-time Cheltenham Festival winner has undergone surgery to remove part of his intestine but further complications developed.
The 13-year-old is in a “stable, but still critical” condition, according to his trainer Nicky Henderson.
Henderson broke the news on his Unibet blog, announcing, “Unfortunately we have a problem with Altior after It was discovered on Saturday morning that he was suffering from a severe bout of colic.
“As a consequence, he was taken to the equine hospital very very quickly where he had to undergo a four hour operation to remove a considerable amount of his intestine. It was a big operation and not straightforward.
“On Sunday morning, he was still extremely uncomfortable so had to undergo further surgery due to complications.
“There is some reasonably positive news in the fact that this morning he is stable, but still critical. Pat Pugh [Altior’s owner] has been to see him on several occasions and he is currently in extremely good hands with all of the team at Donnington Valley.”
Altior won 19 races in a row between 2015 and 2019, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase twice, and was retired in 2021.
He has spent his retirement with former jockey and ITV Racing pundit Mick FitzGerald.
“It’s a terrible shame because he deserves a long and happy retirement and was really enjoying life at Chloe and Mick Fitzgerald’s," added Henderson.
“It’s been extremely tough, and no horse deserves this, especially dear Altior who gave so much pleasure to everyone on the track.
“We are all praying and doing everything humanely possible to ensure he can pull through and continue living life as he should.”
