Aintree horse Get on George is put down on Grand National day just 24 hours after Gold Dancer’s tragic death
Aintree horse Get on George was put down after competing in the William Hill Hurdle on Saturday afternoon.
The six-year-old horse was left on the course after suffering a fracture near the back of the joint in his left hind leg.
A total of 69 horses have died at the Aintree Festival since 2000 and this latest tragedy comes just a day after the death of Golden Dancer, who won the William Hill Mildmay Novices Competition just minutes earlier.
Dene Stansall, Horse Campaign Leader for the Animal Lawyers Association, said about George’s death: ‘A horse has been killed at the Aintree Grand National Meeting again.
‘There is a Duty of Care and Prevention of Suffering requirement under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, given the unprecedented number of horses killed at this meeting (69 since 2000), the question arises: is this being breached?’
Get on George was trained by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith and ridden by Jack Tudor, who got him back to his feet after he lost his bearings in the bend.
Six-year-old horse Get on George became the second casualty of this year’s Aintree Festival after being injured in the William Hill Hurdle (race pictured)
Veterinary experts examined the gelding on the course before deciding to put him down immediately.
Aintree Racecourse said: ‘Get on George’s route was assessed by our specialist veterinary team and it was decided that the best course of action for the horse’s welfare was to humanely euthanize him. We extend our sincerest condolences to our contacts.’
Animal Aid, an organization that campaigns to end animal exploitation, wrote about X: ‘Rest in peace George. Another life has been lost at Aintree.
‘Today they have become yet another victim of a sport that continues to prioritize entertainment and profit over animal rights. How many more lives need to be lost before this is over?’
Meanwhile, an RSPCA spokesman said: ‘We are incredibly sad to hear of the death of a second horse, six-year-old Get On George, at the Grand National Festival at Aintree this year.
‘His tragic death is the 43rd horse racing death in the UK this year alone – and that’s just in April – and the 26th death at a Grand National Festival in the last decade.
‘The RSPCA continues to engage with the horse racing industry in the hope of seeing greater safety measures introduced to the sport and meaningful improvements for the welfare of horses both on and off the track. We acknowledge and welcome that efforts have been made to improve safety at the Grand National in recent years, but unfortunately the deaths on 10 and 11 April show that these measures do not yet adequately protect horses from serious risks.
‘As we do at the end of each racing day throughout the festival, we will be speaking to the British Horseracing Authority today (April 11) to discuss the incident, get their assessment of what happened and how it could have been prevented.’
Get on George is the second crash to die at this year’s festival, after Golden Dancer, who won the second race on Women’s Day.
He fell at the final hurdle but limped over the line to victory. The six-year-old was being ridden by Paul Townend, who continued to whip the horse after it fell. The prize money for winning the race was £67,524.
Golden Dancer, trained by Willie Mullins, looked on course to win by several lengths but was slowed when he fell. Townend dismounted immediately after crossing the line and vets rushed for treatment.
Townend insisted the horse felt solid and continued to run well.
Screens were erected around the horse before news of his death was confirmed.
The Aintree Racecourse statement read: ‘Gold Dancer, winner of the second race of the day, retreated behind the line and dismounted.
‘Our expert veterinary team intervened immediately, but unfortunately he could not be saved. We extend our sincere condolences to his contacts.’
