A horse has died during the Grand National Festival just moments after winning its race in a “hollow victory”.
Gold Dancer suffered a fatal injury during the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree after landing badly jumping the second fence from home.
He stayed on his feet and kept going to win by four and three-quarter lengths, but on pulling up it was soon clear the winner – who was 100-30 joint-favourite – had suffered a serious injury.
The on-course veterinary team were quick to come to his aid, but the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old, who was wearing the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, could not be saved.
“Unfortunately he broke his back and they put him down,” said Gigginstown’s Eddie O’Leary.
“Paul said he made one mistake and he felt nothing and he kept going to the line no problem. It was just when he pulled up, unfortunately.
“It was an unbelievable performance, he jumped brilliantly bar one little mistake.
“It’s a hollow victory now, the poor horse didn’t deserve that.”
Crowds on Ladies Day of the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 at Aintree Racecourse. Credit: PA Images
The death means a total of 68 horses have now died at the Aintree Festival since 2000, with figures from Animal Aid showing 17 horses have died after racing in the Grand National alone.
The death has reinforced calls by animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports for a public boycott and government intervention.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Year after year we see horses dying at Aintree for people’s entertainment and a cheap bet.
“Sadly, Gold Dancer is the latest victim of this heartless spectacle which flies in the face of animal welfare.”
An RSPCA statement released following the horse’s death said: “We are devastated by Gold Dancer’s death.
“This is the 42nd fatality linked to competitive horse-racing in the UK this year alone – and it is only April.
“Lessons must be learned from any tragedy like this – around the contributing factors, pre- and mid-race decision-making, and means of prevention.
“We will be speaking with the British Horseracing Authority later today (10 April) to discuss the incident, understand their assessment of what happened, and how it could have been prevented – including an update on the welfare of other horses who are reported to have fallen today.
“The RSPCA continues to engage with the industry in the hope of seeing greater safety measures introduced to the sport, and improvements for equine welfare both on and off the track.”
Gold Dancer died on day two of the Grand National Festival. Credit: PA Images
James Given, director of equine health and welfare for the British Horseracing Authority, said: “The horse jumped and slipped and lost his back end.
“He came up very quickly and took one half stride to get organised and galloped away.
“I was in the inquiry and gave evidence that looked into the incident – I was able to watch front on and behind -and the horse stayed as straight as an arrow and wasn’t deviating off a straight line or being asymmetric, the back legs were following the front legs exactly.
“It was only when they went past the finishing line that he turned around to the left as the track goes and went from cantering to a trot and the action changed and Paul [Townend] became aware.
“He immediately jumped off and was attended by the vets. I don’t believe Paul was able to notice that injury at all.
“He would have felt nothing but normal to him and it was only from the action from a canter to a trot he became aware and acted exactly as he should have done.”