It is one of the world's most iconic races and, for many people, a good excuse to dress up and put a bet on, as well as watching some exciting sporting action. However, there is a dark side to the Grand National, with many horses losing their lives at Aintree over the years.
The 2023 three-day racing festival at Aintree claimed the lives of three horses this year: Envoye Special, Dark Raven and, in the showpiece Grand National, Hill Sixteen.
Last year saw four horses die over the course of the three-day festival, with two being pronounced dead following the showpiece event. Eclair Surf and Discorama both died after running in the famous steeplechase 12 months ago, with the former suffering a traumatic head injury in a fall and the latter being euthanised after picking up an "untreatable" pelvic injury.
