Three horses died at Aintree during the Grand National amid protests from an animal rights group at the popular event. A total of 40 horses competed for the top prize in the 175th running of the world-famous steeplechase race, Manchester Evening News reports.
The highly-anticipated race was won by Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox. Hill Sixteen died during the National, the penultimate race of the three-day racing festival which began on Thursday. It comes after two horses died previously at this year's festival: Envoye Special and Dark Raven.
The Grand National was delayed for 15 minutes after animal rights activists attempted to gain entry to the track and nine people were arrested by police.
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Protesters sought to draw attention to the dark side of the world famous race. Dozens of horses have lost their lives at Aintree over the years.
Last year saw four horses die over the course of the three-day festival, with two being pronounced dead following the showpiece event. Eclair Surf and Discorama both died after running in the famous steeplechase 12 months ago, with the former suffering a traumatic head injury in a fall and the latter being euthanised after picking up an "untreatable" pelvic injury.
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, with seven out of 439 horses taking part between 2000 and 2010 dying as a result of their involvement.
The deaths have been condemned by animal rights groups including the RSCPA, who say that "the death of any horse is always one too many," while animal rights activists and campaign groups have kept up their calls for stricter safety measures to be introduced within horse racing.
How many horses have died at the Grand National?
Since the first Grand National in 1839, 88 horses have died during the race itself, with nearly 15 of these deaths taking place between 2000 and 2022. Since changes to the course were introduced in 2012, there have been five deaths as a result of racing in the iconic steeplechase.
However, across the whole event, 61 horses have died since 2000, Wales Online reports.
This year's Grand National Festival has already seen two deaths: Envoye Special on the first day of the festival and Dark Raven on the final race day.
Last year's race week saw four horses - Eclair Surf, Discorama, Solwara One and Elle Est Belle - die, with two of those coming in the main event. Eclair Surf died as a result of a traumatic head injury caused by a fall at the third fence in the National, losing his fight the following morning despite being cared for by first-class vets. Meanwhile, Discorama, who fell at the 13th fence, also died after suffering an "untreatable" pelvic injury.
The number of deaths at the main race each year since 2000 is as follows:
- 2023 - 3
- 2022 - 2
- 2021 - 1
- 2020 - N/A
- 2019 - 1
- 2018 - 0
- 2017 - 0
- 2016 - 0
- 2015 - 0
- 2014 - 0
- 2013 - 0
- 2012 - 2
- 2011 - 2
- 2010 - 0
- 2009 - 1
- 2008 - 1
- 2007 - 1
- 2006 - 1
- 2005 - 0
- 2004 - 0
- 2003 - 1
- 2002 - 2
- 2001 - 0
- 2000 - 0
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