A third horse has been reported to have died during the Grand National festival after racing earlier today. It has been confirmed that Discorama has died, having been put to sleep after sustaining an "untreatable" injury amid a fall at fence 13.
The news was confirmed by trainer Paul Nolan, marking the third Grand National Festival death this year after two horses died prior to the main race event, the Express reports. There were distressing scenes at Aintree on Saturday when, hours before the main race, Elle Est Belle suffered a suspected heart attack as she finished fourth in the novices hurdle. Solwara One, ridden by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, had become the first fatality of this year's race week on Friday.
Professor Chris Proudman, veterinary advisor to Aintree racecourse, explained: "After the race, Discorama, who had pulled up while travelling on the flat between fences, was assessed further in Aintree's veterinary treatment facility within the stables. Very sadly we determined that he had sustained an untreatable pelvic injury and it has now been necessary to put him to sleep on welfare grounds. Our thoughts are with his connections."
Trainer Nolan said: "It's devastating. It's very sad for his owners. He was a great horse but unfortunately that is part of the game. He went peacefully and, while we are all devastated, the reality of the situation is I didn't make it to Aintree because my own father is very sick at home and unfortunately it doesn't look good. We've our own worries at home and, at times like this, it provides a bit of perspective."
The RSCPA has condemned the deaths, saying that "the death of any horse is always one too many", while animal rights activists and campaign groups have long called for stricter safety measures to be introduced within horse racing. These calls have been intensified following the recent Cheltenham Festival, where four horses lost their lives in just four days. To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here.
While modern steeplechase races have an average of just over four equine fatalities for every 1,000 horses taking part, according to the British Horseracing Authority, the National's rate is considerably higher. Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Enough is enough. Animal welfare should be at the heart of horse racing and much tighter safety measures need to be implemented – the first step is to create a new independent regulatory body which focuses purely on the welfare of the horses. The use of the whip in the sport should be banned as it is forcing horses to go beyond what they are able to cope with and results in stress, injuries and deaths. The lives of horses are being sacrificed for ‘entertainment’ and gambling.”
At Aintree alone, 55 horses have died since 2000, including 15 during the Grand National itself, while in 2021 there were 200 horse fatalities across Britain. Since changes to the course were introduced in 2012, there have been four deaths during the iconic steeplechase. You can read the full statistics about the number of horses that have sadly died at the festival over the years here.
Sam Waley-Cohen won the 2022 Grand National at Aintree on Noble Yeats, signing off his career by becoming the first amateur jockey to win the race in 32 years. They raced over the finish line in front of a capacity crowd, the first at Aintree in three years, and came in as 50-1 victors.
Rachael Blackmore, who rode to victory on Minella Times last year to become the first woman to win the race, had set out to defend her title but fell during the race. Catch up on the full Grand National results here (along with which finishing places each-way bets pay out on).
