Grand National horse Celebre d'Allen has died after collapsing during the race on Saturday.
The 13-year-old’s condition was said to be improving after initial treatment but he “deteriorated significantly” on Monday night and passed away, according to a statement released on social media on Tuesday by trainers Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Racing.
“We’re heartbroken to share that Celebre D’Allen has passed away,” the statement read. “He received the very best treatment by the veterinary teams and was improving. However, he deteriorated significantly last night and could not be saved. He was a wonderful horse and we will all miss him greatly.”
Celebre d'Allen collapsed during the latter stages of the Grand National after being pulled up before the final fence, receiving treatment on the course before walking into the horse ambulance and undergoing further assessment ahead of an overnight stay at Aintree.
We’re heartbroken to share that Celebre D’Allen has passed away. He received the very best treatment by the veterinary teams and was improving. However, he deteriorated significantly last night and could not be saved. He was a wonderful horse and we will all miss him greatly. 💔
— Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Racing (@PJHobbs1) April 8, 2025
Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Racing posted a video of the horse looking better at Aintree on Sunday morning before his later deterioration.
Jockey Micheal Nolan was handed a 10-day suspension (April 19-26 and May 3 and 5) by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Saturday after they held an enquiry into his decision to continue to ride Celebre d'Allen after jumping the penultimate fence.
“An enquiry was held to consider whether Micheal Nolan, the rider of Celebre D'Allen, had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence,” the BHA said on Saturday.
“The rider and the Veterinary Officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.”
In a statement responding to the death of Celebre d’Allen on Monday, the BHA’s acting chief executive Brant Dunshea said: “All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Celebre D’Allen following Saturday’s Randox Grand National. It has been clear to see since Saturday afternoon just how much the horse meant to his connections and we send our condolences to them today.
“As with all runners in the Grand National, Celebre D’Allen was provided with a thorough check by vets at the racecourse. This health check includes a trot up, physical examination of limbs to check for any heat, pain or swelling, and listening to the heart to check for any murmur or rhythm disturbance.
“This marks the final step in an extensive process of checks to ensure a horses’ suitability to race in the National, which also includes a review of veterinary records and assessment by a Panel of experts to consider a horse’s race record and suitability to race.
“As part of this process the horse would also have been examined by the trainer’s own vet on the two occasions, a month apart.
“Celebre D’Allen received treatment from the team of expert vets after pulling up and then collapsing towards the end of the race. Having been immediately attended to by the teams on site, he was given all the time he needed to respond to treatment on course before being transported back to the first-class veterinary facilities at the racecourse stables, where he remained overnight, continuing to receive care and attention.
BHA statement regarding Celebre D’Allen.
— British Horseracing Authority (@BHAHorseracing) April 8, 2025
The thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with those connected with the horse.
Read Brant Dunshea's full statement here: https://t.co/1Q8XRrmq3t pic.twitter.com/LsKfUcEtsE
“He subsequently travelled to a nearby stud which was connected to the horse’s owners on Sunday, having shown improvement overnight.
“The BHA and Aintree racecourse will analyse the race and this incident in detail, as is the case every year and with every fatal injury in any race. This will include the horse being sent for post-mortem.
“The process of reviewing every fatality allows us to build on our existing data and help us understand how all reasonable avoidable risk can be reduced in order to keep our horses and riders as safe as possible.
“This process previously led to the changes that were made to the Grand National in 2024, including the reduction in the number of runners. Prior to Saturday’s race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 National.
“The steps we have taken to improve safety over the years reflects the great respect we have for our horses, and our commitment to their safety.”
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Broadway Boy also suffered a nasty fall at Valentine’s Brook while leading Saturday’s Grand National by a length, but has since returned home to Gloucestershire. Jockey Tom Bellamy received treatment in hospital for a broken wrist.
