A horse has died following a race at the Grand National on Ladies Day. Solwara One, ridden by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, died following the 1.45pm race at Aintree on Friday, April 8.
A second horse, Elle Est Belles, has since died at the festival after suffering a suspected heart attack on Saturday. You can read the full story here.
Racehorse trainer Neil Mulholland confirmed the news after the race on Friday, writing on Twitter: "Unfortunately we lost Solwara One today due to an injury, very sad." The Liverpool Echo report that the RSPCA said: "We are deeply saddened and concerned after the death of Solwara One at the Aintree Grand National Meeting. The death of any horse is always one too many so it is crucial that steps are taken to reduce the risk of such tragedies occurring."
Professor Chris Proudman, Veterinary Advisor to Aintree Racecourse, said: “Solwara One was pulled up while simply galloping on the flat in the Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle, run on Aintree’s Mildmay Course. He was attended to by our veterinary team but after thorough examination it was determined that very sadly he had sustained an unrecoverable injury. The 14 races across two days so far have seen 192 other horses compete without serious incident.”
Solwara One is the first horse to have died at this year's Grand National meeting. Last year, two died, with The Long Mile having to be put down during the main race having suffered an injury while running on the flat course, after Houx Gris died during the Novice Hurdle.
Two other horses died during the Ladies Day event in 2019, while Up For Review also lost his life during that year's main race. In total, 14 horses have had to be put down at the world's biggest steeplechase since 2000, with campaign groups calling for the event to be banned.
The Aintree contest features 30 jumps but fences such as The Chair, Becher’s Brook, and Canal Turn have notoriously caused problems for runners over the years. However, safety improvements have recently been made.
Changes introduced since 2012 include adapting and rebuilding the fences, facilities and stables, with the The Jockey Club's website stating: "From the very moment a horse arrives at Aintree the most important thing to the racecourse is its safety and welfare."
Before the Grand National race begins, the veterinary team at Aintree assesses the heath of horses so they are safe to race and are not a danger to themselves or will endanger other horses. New approaches and bypass areas to fences have also been added, to make the approach of each fence safer, while horses are also kept in secure stables.
