Tag Archive for: Altior

Henderson offers upbeat update after Altior colic scare

/in /by

Altior is set to return to his retirement home with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald on Friday after making huge strides in his recovery from a serious bout of colic.

Nicky Henderson announced last week that his former two-mile stable star had to undergo two operations – including a four-hour surgery – due to the issue, and the trainer admitted he had been concerned Altior might not recover.

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior was a two-mile star for Henderson
Altior was a two-mile star for Henderson (Julian Herbert/PA)

Altior has since spent his retirement with Fitzgerald and he is set to return to his Lambourn home to continue recuperating.

Henderson told his Unibet blog: “We have some news with regards to Altior and I’m delighted to say that it is ‘good’ news, as he appears to have come out of the other side and seems to be over the worse of his severe bout of colic.

“It’s been a long, slow process and I must admit we were all extremely worried at one time, and very concerned that he mightn’t pull through, but thankfully, due to the excellent work from everyone at Donnington Grove, especially Kate McGovern, Rosie and the whole team who stayed with him on a 24-hour watch, it looks as though Altior will be able to return home to the Fitzgerald family tomorrow, which is obviously fantastic news for him and all of us.

“He’s had a great week and things have gradually improved, which meant he was able to go onto solid foods a couple of days ago. He has taken that well and everything seems to be working, so we hope he is on the road to recovery.

“There have still been a few nervous moments, but he was getting brighter and brighter as the days went on, and it has been amazing how far he has come.

“It’s very rare for any horse to survive what Altior has gone through, and I’d go as far to say that this was as deep as you could go, and his chances were not very promising at all, but as we’ve all said before, he must be a very tough and brave person to overcome what he has.

“He was a fighter on the racecourse and is most definitely a fighter off it as well!”

Altior ‘more comfortable’ as recovery from colic continues

/in /by

Nicky Henderson has issued a positive bulletin on Altior, who is recovering after a severe bout of colic.

The Seven Barrows handler announced on Wednesday that his former two-mile stable star had to undergo two operations over the weekend, including a four-hour surgery on Saturday due to the issue.

While Henderson is a little more upbeat on the 13-year-old’s health, he acknowledges Altior still has “a very long way to go”.

Nico de Boinville and Altior enjoyed multiple Grade One victories
Nico de Boinville and Altior enjoyed multiple Grade One victories (Paul Harding/PA)

He told his Unibet blog: “I am pleased to report this morning that Altior had a good night and is more comfortable than he has been so far.

“There is still a very long way to go and the next stage is try to wean him off the artificial feeding system towards more natural, normal feed which will test his internal organs and if they can cope.

“It will be a big change and the question, to put it very simply, will be if his gut will still work, so it’s another big day with plenty of risks involved; with each step comes another big test.”

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior has since spent his retirement with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, who visited on Wednesday, with Henderson planning to make his own trip later on Thursday.

He added: “Mick and Chloe (Fitzgerald, wife) saw him last night and said he was definitely much brighter and perkier in himself, which is a good sign. I was unable to visit yesterday but will be seeing him later today and (owner) Pat Pugh has barely left his side.

“A lot of people say he was a fighter on course and he’s now having to prove it off it as well, but we’re keeping fingers and toes crossed that he pulls through and we’ll keep everyone posted with any further news.”

Altior is one of the most popular runners of recent years
Altior is one of the most popular runners of recent years (Julian Herbert/PA)

Henderson also expressed his gratitude for the support from racing fans for Altior, who had an army of admirers during his racing days.

He said: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ from all of us and everyone at the surgery who have sent so many kind messages about Altior. We are very touched and I only wish Altior could read. It means a lot.

“I’d also like to give special mention to Kate McGovern who heads up the team in charge of Altior at Donnington Grove, and while he is still in intensive care, they are doing the most wonderful job and we cannot thank them enough.”

Altior ‘stable but critical’ after colic surgery

/in /by

Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Altior is reported to be in a stable but critical condition after suffering a severe bout of colic.

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Nicky Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior has since spent his retirement with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, but Henderson has revealed his one-time stable star is now fighting for his life in hospital.

Nicky Henderson with Altior at Seven Barrows
Nicky Henderson with Altior at Seven Barrows (David Davies/PA)

“Unfortunately we have a problem with Altior after it was discovered on Saturday morning that he was suffering from a severe bout of colic,” the Seven Barrows handler said in his Unibet blog.

“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 (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. It’s a terrible shame because he deserves a long and happy retirement and was really enjoying life at Chloe and Mick Fitzgerald’s.

“It’s been extremely tough, and no horse deserves this, especially dear Altior who gave so much pleasure to everyone on the track.

“In an ironic twist, we welcomed his gorgeous four-year-old old brother to Seven Barrows last week. He is the most handsome son of Camelot and is really pleasing us all.

“We are all praying and doing everything humanely possible to ensure he can pull through and continue living life as he should.”