WILLIE MULLINS has confirmed Cheltenham Festival superstar Ballyburn is out for the rest of this season – AND next.
The Closutton boss delivered the devastating update on Friday… hot on the heels of the star’s Stayers’ Hurdle second.
Hugging the rail approaching the last, Paul Townend was tight for room jumping the last.
That allowed 33-1 Home By The Lee to scamper home and seal a shock win.
And left jockey Paul Townend thinking of what could have been.
Former Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner Ballyburn looked right back to his best and was near the head of the market for the 2027 Stayers’ Hurdle.
But speaking to the Sporting Life, Mullins confirmed all future plans are on hold.
He said: “Ballyburn has unfortunately sustained an injury that will rule him out for the rest of this season and next year too.
“It’s very disappointing given how well he ran at Cheltenham.”
More to follow.
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