"We'll have to reshuffle our pack" - State Man injury forces Mullins to alter plans

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Thu 13 Nov 2025 08:51

Jon Vine 13 Nov 2025

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State Man, Mullins' leading hurdler, suffers season-ending injury
Mullins must decide replacements among Lossiemouth, Anzadam, and others
Key races like Morgiana Hurdle now open for new contenders

Paul Townend celebrates victory on State Man in the Champion Hurdle during racing on day one of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

Willie Mullins' early-season plans were thrown up in the air on Wednesday, after State Man suffered a season-ending injury.

State Man has been Willie Mullins' leading two-mile hurdler for the last three seasons. Paul Townend's mount has picked up 12 Grade One wins, including the 2024 Champion Hurdle. State Man looked set to defend his crown at Cheltenham earlier this year, before a crashing tumble at the final flight opened the door for Golden Ace.

Mullins' star hurdler was expected to take his usual path to Cheltenham this term, with runs in the Morgiana Hurdle, Matheson Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle already pencilled in. Sadly, State Man won't have the opportunity to add to his Group One haul this term, after suffering a tendon injury during a routine gallop.

"It's a huge blow to everyone in the yard and to the Donnellys, as well." Mullins said when he delivered the bad news.

"He has won so many Grade 1s for us and he turned up every single day, apart from at Leopardstown last Christmas. That was the only day he didn't show up, but otherwise he has been flawless really and Paul [Townend] always said you can set your watch by him. Horses like him don't come around too often."

"It's hugely disappointing but that's the sport we're in. You've got to really enjoy the good days, because things like this can happen in the blink of an eye."

"We'll obviously have to reshuffle our pack now and I'm not sure yet who will go to the Morgiana instead of State Man. We have quite a few entries in there and we'll have to see who fits the race best over the next week or two. There are a few decisions that will need to be made soon."

Those decisions will revolve around Lossiemouth and Anzadam, who've both been handed Morgiana entries.

Lossiemouth had been an intended runner at Kempton over Christmas, with Anzadam pencilled in to take on The New Lion and Constitution Hill in the upcoming Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. However, the State Man news injury could see one, or even both rerouted to Punchestown.

Aintree Top Novices' Hurdle winner, Salvator Mundi was expected to run in novice hurdles this term. Despite beating that stablemate at Punchestown, Willie Mullins was unsure whether Irancy would be good enough to dine at the top table as an open hurdler.

11-year-old Winter Fog, and County Hurdle winner Kargese also old Morgiana Hurdle entries. State Man's injury could see Mullins run a handful in the Morgiana Hurdle, with the winner likely to fly the flag for Closutton in the Cheltenham Festival come March.