Jockey Patrick Mullins celebrates with horse Sharjah after winning The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap.2 August 2018; Jockey Patrick Mullins celebrates with Sharjah after winning The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap during the Galway Races Summer Festival 2018, in Ballybrit, Galway. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile Credit: Sportsfile – Subscription

LEGENDARY Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci horse Sharjah has sadly died aged 13 after suffering from colic.

A six-time Grade 1-winning machine, he was famed for his partnership with Willie’s son Patrick, who hailed the fan favourite a ‘superstar’.

Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2019 - Day FourSharjah and Patrick Mullins, in the famous Rich Ricci silks, on their way to winning the 2019 Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown Credit: Sportsfile Leopardstown Christmas Festival - Day FourPatrick, whose dad Willie trained the horse, has paid tribute after his death aged 13, saying he was a ‘superstar’ Credit: Sportsfile

A frequent Morgiana and Matheson Hurdle winner, Sharjah came closest to winning at Cheltenham Festival when second to first Epatante and then Honeysuckle in the 2020 and 2021 Champion Hurdles.

Having made his racecourse debut at Longchamp in 2015, his career crossed paths with State Man and Constitution Hill.

He finished second behind both before recording his final win in April 2024 when landing a Class 2 novice handicap chase at Ayr as part of Mullins’ all-out and ultimately successful bid to land the British trainers’ title.

Sharjah’s final run was to come just ten days later at his beloved Punchestown.

He had been loving life in retirement before being hit with colic – a general term for abdominal pain horses feel.

Patrick told the Racing Post : “It’s very sad news about Sharjah

“He’s been living the life of Riley since his retirement with Abbie Hawkins in England.

“He was a fabulous horse to ride. To ride a horse in those Grade 1 hurdle races over two miles who can cut through the field like a knife through butter is a wonderful sensation for any jockey to feel.

“He was a very, very kind horse in the yard that everyone was very fond of and I doubt I will ever get to be associated with a horse like him again.

“I owe him some of the best memories of my riding career.

“He was a superstar.”

Sharjah retired having won just shy of £1million in prize money, with 13 wins from 50 races.

Punters were quick to pay tribute to a true favourite, with one saying: “Loved this horse. So terribly sad.”