2024 Champion Hurdler State Man has picked up a tendon injury on the Closutton gallops which will rule him out for the entire 2025/26 season according to trainer Willie Mullins. Reports emerged on Wednesday morning, ensuring hopes of regaining his Champion Hurdle crown have been dashed.
The eight-year-old has won 14 of his 19 career starts for Mullins, being one of the pictures of consistency in recent National Hunt seasons, despite losing twice to Brighterdayshaead in the build up to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. However, the chestnut looked as though he would gain full revenge in the Champion Hurdle only to fall at the last with the race at his mercy, although compensation awaited at Punchestown, at which he beat Constitution Hill for the first time in May.
Despite his brilliant record, State Man has been beaten twice in four starts at Cheltenham, once by Constitution Hill and once due to that final flight fall. His misfortune is set to continue until at least the 2027 Cheltenham Festival.
State Man had been as short as 9/2 to gain redemption in this season’s Champion Hurdle, but his defection could shake up a number of Willie Mullins’ late-season plans. Lossiemouth is now his shortest-priced fancy for the Champion Hurdle at a best price of 11/2 despite the prospect of three straight Mares’ Hurdle crowns being on offer in March, while Anzadam is now no bigger than 8/1 for the Tuesday showpiece at the Festival.