A trainer has been left "heartbroken" by the death of his horse in the 2022 Grand National.
Discorama died after being pulled up with an injury before the 13th fence of the Aintree race. Bryan Cooper reported that the two-time winner was lame – and on Saturday evening, trainer Paul Nolan confirmed the injury was fatal.
He said on Twitter : "We are heartbroken to have lost Discorama today at Aintree. Bryan pulled him up due to injury. Our condolences to his owners Andrew Gemmell & Tom Friel."
After the race, all horses returned to the stables and no serious medical concerns were reported regarding any jockeys. However, a tragic update has now been given following further assessment by the Aintree veterinary team.
Professor Chris Proudman, Veterinary Advisor to Aintree Racecourse, said: “After the race, Discorama, who had pulled up while travelling on the flat between fences, was assessed further in Aintree’s veterinary treatment facility within the stables. Very sadly we determined that he had sustained an untreatable pelvic injury and it has now been necessary to put him to sleep on welfare grounds. Our thoughts are with his connections.”
Discorama, who was trained in Ireland, won two races his his career, at Naas and Fairyhouse. Outside of his home country, he competed in many big races, including last year's Grand National.
He finished seventh on that occasion, as Rachael Blackmore became the first female rider to win the £1million race on Minella Times. Discorama ran at the Cheltenham Festival on three occasions, finishing in the places each time.
He was the runner-up in the 2018 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle and the following year's National Hunt Chase. In 2020, the son of Saddler Maker was third in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Overall he earned connections just over £120,000 in prize money from 22 career starts. Nolan was sent hundreds of messages of condolence by racing fans after the loss of his stable star.
One said: "So so sorry to read this. Thoughts are with all concerned." Another added: "Sorry Paul. Desperate news."
A third person wrote: "Oh goodness I am so sorry, I was really hoping for a positive outcome when I saw him pull up so quickly. Thinking of you all and sending love."
A horse died in the previous two runnings of the race. The Long Mile broke down between fences in 2021, while Up For Review was brought down at the first in 2019. None of the three incidents were related to the jumps in the race.
After the course was modified, in the six years from 2013 to 2018 there were no fatal injuries.
Earlier in the afternoon, Est Elle Belle tragically died in a hurdles race on the Grand National card. In 2021 she was placed at both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meetings.
