Horse dies on first day of Grand National festival after Rachael Blackmore fall

A horse has died on the first day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree on Thursday.

Willy De Houelle, which was ridden by Rachael Blackmore, owned by Rich Ricci and trained by Willie Mullins, suffered a fatal injury after falling early in the Juvenile Hurdle, a two-mile-one-furlong event.

Statistics compiled by Animal Aid show that 66 horses have died at the Aintree Festival in the past 25 years, with 16 horses dying in the Grand National race itself.

Emma Slawinski, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: ‘The tragic death of Willy De Houelle, the sixty-sixth horse to die at the Aintree Festival since 2000, illustrates why we need a new, independent regulator that has horse welfare as its number one priority.

‘We need to replace the British Horse Racing Authority, make immediate moves to outlaw the whip and stop sacrificing horses for entertainment and the profits of the gambling companies.’

A statement from Animal Aid read: ‘Willy De Houelle, just four years old, was killed in the second race today after suffering a horrific fall. The death toll of this event is now 66 horses killed since 2000.

‘The Grand National three-day meeting is lethal for horses – who have no choice but to run for their lives on a racecourse designed to push them to their limits.

‘Furthermore, National Hunt or ‘jump’ racing has killed more than 3,000 horses since 2001. This is why we are calling for a ban on jump racing, with the cruel Cheltenham and Aintree festivals being the first to go.’

Blackmore, meanwhile, only returned from a neck injury in December after a near three-month absence.

The 35-year-old, who had two wins on Bob Olinger and Air Of Entitlement at the Cheltenham Festival last month, is said to be ‘okay’ after her fall.

‘Rachael Blackmore walked into the ambulance, looked pretty sore doing so,’ ITV presenter Ed Chamberlin said after Blackmore’s fall in the second race on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking later on Thursday, Joe Chambers, racing manager to winning owners Rich and Susannah Ricci, issued an update on Blackmore’s condition.

‘It’s a shame about Constitution Hill, that’s twice it has happened to them and we know all about fallers – we lost Willy De Houelle sadly, another great young horse, in the first race and thankfully Rachael is okay,’ Chambers told Racing TV.

‘It’s an amazing game, we were on our backside an hour and a half ago and now here we are with two Grade One winners at Aintree and in the sunshine, it’s absolutely magic to be honest with you.’

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