A horse has died after competing in the Grand National opening day at Aintree.
Envoye Special is reported to have died after running in the 4:05pm Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase for amateur riders, the only race of the day staged on the Grand National course.
He was being ridden by James King and was in the front rank early when he lost his partner at the ninth fence, the one before Becher’s Brook.
Read more: Grand National: Irish nurse to 'disrupt' Aintree event with Animal Rising
The Kieran Burke-trained nine-year-old continued riderless but was injured when falling at one of the subsequent fences. He was assessed by Aintree’s on-course veterinary team but the track subsequently confirmed he had unfortunately sustained a fatal injury.
A spokesperson said: “Envoye Special was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary professionals during the Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase. After assessment, sadly they concluded the necessary course of action for the horse's welfare was to put him to sleep. Our sincere sympathies are with his connections.”
The horse's death comes just ahead of plans to disrupt the iconic horse racing event on Saturday.
Animal Rising spokesperson, Orla Coughlan said: “It is tragic to see the death of a beautiful horse at Aintree this afternoon. This death reflects how broken our bond is with animals and nature and the urgent need to really assess if our actions match our values as a nation of animal lovers.
“Whether it’s the deaths of racehorses on the track, or cows, pigs, and sheep for our food system, the time has come for a critical discussion on our future and how we’re going to create a world where we love animals without harming them” added the 28-year old Irish woman.
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