List of equine fatalities in the Grand National

This page lists equine fatalities in the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England.

It is a handicap chase containing 30 fences and is run over a distance of four miles and 880 yards (7,242 m). Officially established in 1839, the race is popular amongst many people, mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.[1]

However, a high number of equine injuries and fatalities has made the steeplechase a target for animal rights groups. While course officials have taken measures over the years to improve horse welfare and safety during the race, such as improving veterinary facilities and reducing the severity of some fences,[2] some groups have campaigned to have the National further modified or even abolished.[3]

This list details the equine fatalities during, or as a direct result of participating in, the Grand National, that is, the centrepiece steeplechase itself rather than all the various races held over the entire three-day "Grand National meeting". It includes, where applicable and where known, the fence at which the fatality occurred:

Year Horse name Fence # Fate Note Source
2011 Ornais 4 & 20 Fell [4]
2011 Dooneys Gate 6 & 22 Fell [4]
2009 Hear The Echo While running Collapsed Collapsed on the run-in and later died. [5]
2008 McKelvey 4 & 20 Unseated Continued running riderless but collided with a barrier and was unable to regain his feet. [6]
2007 Graphic Approach While running Collapsed Fell at Becher's Brook but continued running riderless before collapsing with concussion. He was euthanised several days later. [7]
2006 Tyneandthyneagain 1 & 17 Fell Continued running riderless until falling later, was diagnosed with a spinal injury and euthanised. [8]
2003 Goguenard 3 & 19 Unseated Injured in a mêlée and later euthanised. [9]
2002 The Last Fling 8 & 24 Fell Continued running riderless until falling later. [10]
2002 Manx Magic 4 & 20 Fell [10]
1999 Eudipe 6 & 22 Fell [11]
1998 Pashto 1 & 17 Fell [12]
1998 Do Rightly 4 & 20 Fell Suffered a heart attack whilst jumping the fence [12]
1998 Griffins Bar While running Injured after fall Fell at the fifth fence but the vet reported his fatal injury was sustained while galloping riderless afterwards. [12]
1997 Straight Talk 14 & 30 Fell [13]
1997 Smith's Band 4 & 20 Fell [13]
1996 Rust Never Sleeps While running Pulled up Euthanised after the race. [14]
1991 Ballyhane After finishing Collapsed Suffered a haemorrhage and died after completing the race. [15]
1990 Roll-A-Joint 8 & 24 Fell [16]
1990 Hungary Hur While running Pulled up [16]
1989 Brown Trix 6 & 22 Fell [17]
1989 Seeandem 6 & 22 Fell [17]
1987 Dark Ivy 6 & 22 Fell Killed instantly landing head first at Becher's Brook [18]
1984 Earthstopper After finishing Collapsed Collapsed and died after finishing the race in fifth place. [19]
1979 Kintai 15 Brought down Injured in fall and later euthanised. [20]
1979 Alverton 6 & 22 Fell [21]
1978 Rag Trade While running Pulled up Euthanised after the race. [22]
1977 Winter Rain 6 & 22 Fell Injured in fall and later euthanised. [23][24]
1977 Zeta's Son 9 & 25 Fell Injured in fall and later euthanised. [23][24]
1975 Land Lark 15 Fell [25]
1975 Beau Bob 6 & 22 Fell [25]
1973 Grey Sombrero 15 Fell Injured in fall and later euthanised. [26]
1967 Vulcano 3 & 19 Fell [27]
1959 Henry Purcell 6 & 22 Fell [28]
1954 Dominick's Bar 2 & 18 Fell [29][30]
1954 Paris New York 4 & 20 Fell [29][30]
1954 Legal Joy 13 & 29 Fell Injured in fall and later euthanised. [29][30]
1954 Coneyburrow 12 & 28 Fell [29][30]
1952 Skouras 6 & 22 Fell [31]
1946 Symbole 6 & 22 Fell [32]
1936 Avenger 1 & 17 Fell Suffered a broken neck in fall at 17th fence, then euthanised. [33]
1931 Swift Roland 6 & 22 Fell Fatally injured when another faller landed on him. [34]
1931 Drin 9 & 25 Fell Suffered a broken leg in fall at 25th fence and later euthanised. [34]
1930 Derby Day Fell [35]
1929 Stort Fell Suffered a broken leg and later euthanised. [35]
1926 Lone Hand Fell [35]
1922 The Inca 6 & 22 Fell Suffered a broken leg and later euthanised. [36]
1922 Awbeg 8 & 24 Fell Suffered a broken leg and later euthanised. [36]
1907 Kilts 1 & 17 Fell [37]
1901 True Blue Fell [37]
1891 The Emperor While running Pulled up Having been pulled up, fell and broke his back while running back to the stables. [37]
1882 Wild Monarch Fell [37]
1872 Primrose 2 & 18 Fell Injured in fall and later euthanised. [37]
1871 Lord Raglan Fell [37]
1868 Chimney Sweep While running Collided with barrier Injured when collided with barrier on the Melling Road and euthanised. [37]
1863 Telegraph 5 & 21 Fell Injured in fall and euthanised. [37]
1861 The Conductor Refused Injured in mêlée and later euthanised. [37]
1856 Banstead 2 & 18 Fell Injured in fall and euthanised. [37]
1855 Miss Mowbray Fell [37]
1854 Bedford 9 & 25 Fell Injured in fall and euthanised. [37]
1849 The Curate 2 & 18 Fell Injured in fall and euthanised.
1849 Equinox 3 & 19 Fell
1849 Kilfane 4 & 20 Fell
1848 Counsellor Fell
1848 The Sailor Fell
1848 Blue Pill Fell
1845 Clansman 8 & 24 Fell
1839 Dictator 9 & 25 Fell [38][39]

Summary by fence

The following table summarises the total number of equine fatalities by each of the 16 fences on the course, and includes the current height of each.

Fence # Current height Total fatalities
1 & 17 4'06" 4
2 & 18 4'07" 4
3 & 19 (Open Ditch) 4'10" 3
4 & 20 4'10" 7
5 & 21 5'00" 1
6 & 22 (Becher's Brook) 5'00" 13
7 & 23 (Foinavon's) 4'06" 0
8 & 24 (Canal Turn) 5'00" 4
9 & 25 (Valentine's) 5'00" 4
10 & 26 5'00" 0
11 & 27 (Open Ditch) 5'00" 0
12 & 28 5'00" 1
13 & 29 4'07" 1
14 & 30 4'06" 1
15 (The Chair) 5'02" 3
16 (Water Jump) 2'06" 0

See also

References

  1. ^ Grand National Betting. Grandnational.org.uk. Retrieved on 2011-03-11.
  2. ^ http://www.aintree.co.uk/pages/horse-welfare/
  3. ^ http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201104115970061
  4. ^ a b Davies, Stephen (10 April 2011). "Aintree day of horror as TV audience of millions see two horses die at the National". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-1375310/Grand-National-2011-Aintree-day-horror-millions-2-horses-die.html. 
  5. ^ "Mon Mome seals shock National win". BBC News. 4 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7982075.stm. 
  6. ^ Harlow, Phil (5 April 2008). "Comply Or Die wins Grand National". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7330079.stm. 
  7. ^ Armytage, Marcus (11 May 2007). "Sad end for Graphic Approach". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/2312984/Sad-end-for-Graphic-Approach.html. 
  8. ^ [1]
  9. ^ "Monty's Pass wins Grand National". BBC News. 5 April 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/2920613.stm. 
  10. ^ a b [2]
  11. ^ Delahunt, Jim (14 November 1999). "Death becomes a matter of course". The Sunday Herald. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_19991114/ai_n13942644/. 
  12. ^ a b c "Inquiries launched into Grand National deaths". BBC News. 6 April 1998. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/75070.stm. 
  13. ^ a b [3]
  14. ^ [4]
  15. ^ [5]
  16. ^ a b [6]
  17. ^ a b [7]
  18. ^ [8]
  19. ^ "Hello Dandy Wins National". The New York Times. 1 April 1984. http://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/01/sports/hello-dandy-wins-national.html. 
  20. ^ [9]
  21. ^ Patrick Weaver (12-04-2010). "Jonjo O'Neill exorcises Alverton demons". http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/168673/Jonjo-O'Neill-exorcises-Alverton-demons/. Retrieved 17-04-2011. 
  22. ^ [10]
  23. ^ a b "1977: Hat trick for Red Rum". BBC News. 2 April 1977. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/2/newsid_2466000/2466403.stm. 
  24. ^ a b [11]
  25. ^ a b [12]
  26. ^ "Racing: Richard Pitman 'Ride of my life' burns bright in Pitman memory". The Independent (London). 5 April 2003. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/racing-richard-pitman-ride-of-my-life-burns-bright-in-pitman-memory-593392.html. 
  27. ^ Malcolm, Derek (9 January 1967). "Classic report: Foinavon takes evasive action and triumphs". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/1967/jan/09/grandnational2005.grandnational. 
  28. ^ [13]
  29. ^ a b c d [14]
  30. ^ a b c d [15]
  31. ^ [16]
  32. ^ [17]
  33. ^ [18]
  34. ^ a b "Sport: Grand National, Apr. 6, 1931". Time. 6 April 1931. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,741375,00.html. 
  35. ^ a b c "Animals: Gamble, Violation, Disgrace". Time. 27 April 1931. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,741533,00.html. 
  36. ^ a b "29 CHASERS FELL IN RACE.; Only Three Finished in Grand National Over Hard English Course". The New York Times. 18 April 1922. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F10E1FFC3C5D1A7A93CAA8178FD85F468285F9. 
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l [19]
  38. ^ [20]
  39. ^ [21]
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Aintree Racecourse · List of Grand National winners · List of Grand National first four placings · List of equine fatalities in the Grand National