A horse has died after winning a race during the Grand National’s Ladies’ Day.
Gold Dancer had to be put down after dragging his back legs through the final fence in the Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase at Aintree Racecourse on Friday (April 10)
The seven-year-old gelding won the race by four lengths under jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins and immediately pulled up after crossing the finish line.
Owners Gigginstown confirmed that Gold Dancer had suffered a broken back while the British Horse Racing Authority later shared a stewards’ report into the death.
A statement read: “An enquiry was held into the riding of the winner, Gold Dancer, ridden by P. Townend, from jumping the final fence up until rounding the bend towards the pull up area after which the gelding was immediately assessed by Veterinary Surgeons and subsequently euthanised on welfare grounds.
“Townend and the Director of Equine Regulation, Safety, and Welfare were both interviewed and shown recordings of the incident.
“Townend explained that Gold Dancer had made a bad mistake at the last fence after which it had taken a stride or two for the gelding to gather himself before, in his opinion, running on in a straight line to the winning line where Gold Dancer felt sound.”
“Townend added that it was only until rounding the bend towards the pull up area that the gelding’s action changed when Gold Dancer went from a canter to a trot after which he immediately dismounted from the gelding.
“After reviewing the footage, The Director of Equine, Safety, and Welfare explained that Gold Dancer’s action was typical of a 3-mile chaser in the final stages of a race and supported the evidence of Townend.
“After hearing all of their evidence, the Stewards noted Townend’s explanation.”