Aintree horse Gold Dancer is put down on Ladies Day after breaking back following a fall – but still being whipped to £67,000 victory by his jockey at the Grand National Festival
Shortly after winning the second race of Ladies’ Day, a horse was left racing at Aintree Racecourse.
Golden Dancer 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.
Before the news of the horse’s death was confirmed, screens were erected around it.
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.’
Golden Dancer died after being tackled to the ground at Aintree moments after winning his race
Paul Townend continued to whip the clearly struggling horse until it crossed the line before dismounting.
The horse was significantly ahead in the race as he was whipped after the fall and prize money for victory was £67,524.
Eddie O’Leary, one of Gigginstown’s owners, said: ‘He was put down. He broke his back. It’s very sad for the horse. What could Paul Townend do? He felt fine, but when he stood up he realized something was wrong.’
Meanwhile, animal rights group Animal Aid released a statement minutes after the events took place.
They said: ‘The fact that the ‘winner’ of this race died minutes later is proof that there are no winners in this so-called ‘sport’. Such injuries and deaths are common in racing and occur on average every other day across the country.
‘This is not a coincidence; this is a predictable result of pushing horses beyond their physical limits and using a whip to force them to run faster than they want. Injury and death go hand in hand with racing and that’s why Animal Aid is calling on the public to turn their backs on this “sport” and boycott horse racing.’
Isobel McNally, Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Campaign Manager, added: ‘This is a terrible thing to happen to an animal; all in service of an event that, judging by ITV news, appears to be more of a social event for attendees.
‘Everyone who bought a ticket or placed a bet paid the price for the death of this horse. We all have the opportunity to solve this problem very easily. We can go drink somewhere else. We can bet on something else. Animal lives should never be collateral damage during anyone’s good time.’
