List of equine fatalities in the Grand National

This page lists equine fatalities in the Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...

, a National Hunt

National Hunt racing

National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...

horse race

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse

Aintree Racecourse

Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....

near Liverpool

Liverpool

Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

.

It is a handicap chase containing 30 fences and is run over a distance of four miles and 880 yards (7,242 m). Officially established in 1839

1839 Grand National

The 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...

, the race is popular amongst many people, mainly in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

and Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

, who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.

However, a high number of equine injuries and fatalities has made the steeplechase

Steeplechase

Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...

a target for animal rights

Animal rights

Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...

groups. While course officials have taken measures over the years to improve horse welfare and safety during the race, such as improving veterinary facilities and reducing the severity of some fences, some groups have campaigned to have the National further modified or even abolished.

This list details the equine fatalities during, or as a direct result of participating in, the Grand National, that is, the centrepiece steeplechase itself rather than all the various races held over the entire three-day "Grand National meeting". It includes, where applicable and where known, the fence at which the fatality occurred:

Year	Horse name	Fence #	Fate	Note	Source
2011 2011 Grand National The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....	Ornais	4 & 20	Fell
2011 2011 Grand National The 2011 Grand National was the 164th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England....	Dooneys Gate	6 & 22	Fell
2009 2009 Grand National The 2009 Grand National was the 162nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 2009...	Hear The Echo Hear The Echo Hear The Echo was a horse trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Davy Russell.He won the Irish Grand National in 2008 and collapsed and died on the run-in of the 2009 Grand National....	While running	Collapsed	Collapsed on the run-in and later died.
2008 2008 Grand National The 2008 Grand National was the 161st official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 2008 and attracted the maximum allowed field of 40 competitors, for total prize money of £450,640.Joint-favourite...	McKelvey McKelvey McKelvey was a British-trained thoroughbred racehorse, ridden by Tom O'Brien and trained by Peter Bowen.-Racing career:McKelvey won the 2006 Summer National and came second in the 2007 Grand National...	4 & 20	Unseated	Continued running riderless but collided with a barrier and was unable to regain his feet.
2007 2007 Grand National The 2007 Grand National was the 160th official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 14 April 2007 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for a total prize money of £700,000...	Graphic Approach	While running	Collapsed	Fell at Becher's Brook but continued running riderless before collapsing with concussion. He was euthanised several days later.
2006 2006 Grand National The 2006 Grand National was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the...	Tyneandthyneagain	1 & 17	Fell	Continued running riderless until falling later, was diagnosed with a spinal injury and euthanised.
2003 2003 Grand National The 2003 Grand National was the 156th renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree at 3:45pm BST, on 5 April 2003....	Goguenard	3 & 19	Unseated	Injured in a mêlée and later euthanised.
2002 2002 Grand National The 2002 Grand National was the 155th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, at 3:45pm BST on 6 April 2002....	The Last Fling	8 & 24	Fell	Continued running riderless until falling later.
2002 2002 Grand National The 2002 Grand National was the 155th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, at 3:45pm BST on 6 April 2002....	Manx Magic	4 & 20	Fell
1999 1999 Grand National The 1999 Grand National was the 152nd official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 10 April 1999....	Eudipe	6 & 22	Fell
1998 1998 Grand National The 1998 Grand National was the 151st official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 1998....	Pashto	1 & 17	Fell
1998 1998 Grand National The 1998 Grand National was the 151st official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 1998....	Do Rightly	4 & 20	Fell	Suffered a heart attack whilst jumping the fence
1998 1998 Grand National The 1998 Grand National was the 151st official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 1998....	Griffins Bar	While running	Injured after fall	Fell at the fifth fence but the vet reported his fatal injury was sustained while galloping riderless afterwards.
1997 1997 Grand National The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...	Straight Talk	14 & 30	Fell
1997 1997 Grand National The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...	Smith's Band	4 & 20	Fell
1996 1996 Grand National The 1996 Grand National was the 149th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 30 March 1996....	Rust Never Sleeps	While running	Pulled up	Euthanised after the race.
1991 1991 Grand National The 1991 Grand National was the 145th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 6 April 1991....	Ballyhane	After finishing	Collapsed	Suffered a haemorrhage and died after completing the race.
1990 1990 Grand National The 1990 Grand National was the 144th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 7 April 1990....	Roll-A-Joint	8 & 24	Fell
1990 1990 Grand National The 1990 Grand National was the 144th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 7 April 1990....	Hungary Hur	While running	Pulled up
1989 1989 Grand National The 1989 Grand National was the 143rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1989....	Brown Trix	6 & 22	Fell
1989 1989 Grand National The 1989 Grand National was the 143rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1989....	Seeandem	6 & 22	Fell
1987 1987 Grand National The 1987 Grand National was the 141st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, in April 1987....	Dark Ivy	6 & 22	Fell	Killed instantly landing head first at Becher's Brook
1984 1984 Grand National The 1984 Grand National was the 138th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1984....	Earthstopper	After finishing	Collapsed	Collapsed and died after finishing the race in fifth place.
1979	Kintai	15	Brought down	Injured in fall and later euthanised.
1979	Alverton	6 & 22	Fell
1978	Rag Trade	While running	Pulled up	Euthanised after the race.
1977 1977 Grand National The 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....	Winter Rain	6 & 22	Fell	Injured in fall and later euthanised.
1977 1977 Grand National The 1977 Grand National was the 131st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 2 April 1977....	Zeta's Son	9 & 25	Fell	Injured in fall and later euthanised.
1975	Land Lark	15	Fell
1975	Beau Bob	6 & 22	Fell
1973 1973 Grand National The 1973 Grand National was the 127th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at the Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1973....	Grey Sombrero	15	Fell	Injured in fall and later euthanised.
1967 1967 Grand National Much of the early stages of the race were inconsequential, with 28 of the 44 competitors having safely cleared the 22nd fence, Becher's Brook on the second circuit....	Vulcano	3 & 19	Fell
1959	Henry Purcell	6 & 22	Fell
1954 1954 Grand National The 1954 Grand National was the 108th annual renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1954....	Dominick's Bar	2 & 18	Fell
1954 1954 Grand National The 1954 Grand National was the 108th annual renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1954....	Paris New York	4 & 20	Fell
1954 1954 Grand National The 1954 Grand National was the 108th annual renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1954....	Legal Joy	13 & 29	Fell	Injured in fall and later euthanised.
1954 1954 Grand National The 1954 Grand National was the 108th annual renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1954....	Coneyburrow	12 & 28	Fell
1952	Skouras	6 & 22	Fell
1946	Symbole	6 & 22	Fell
1936	Avenger	1 & 17	Fell	Suffered a broken neck in fall at 17th fence, then euthanised.
1931	Swift Roland	6 & 22	Fell	Fatally injured when another faller landed on him.
1931	Drin	9 & 25	Fell	Suffered a broken leg in fall at 25th fence and later euthanised.
1930	Derby Day		Fell
1929	Stort		Fell	Suffered a broken leg and later euthanised.
1926	Lone Hand		Fell
1922	The Inca	6 & 22	Fell	Suffered a broken leg and later euthanised.
1922	Awbeg	8 & 24	Fell	Suffered a broken leg and later euthanised.
1907	Kilts	1 & 17	Fell
1901	True Blue		Fell
1891	The Emperor	While running	Pulled up	Having been pulled up, fell and broke his back while running back to the stables.
1882	Wild Monarch		Fell
1872	Primrose	2 & 18	Fell	Injured in fall and later euthanised.
1871	Lord Raglan		Fell
1868	Chimney Sweep	While running	Collided with barrier	Injured when collided with barrier on the Melling Road and euthanised.
1863	Telegraph	5 & 21	Fell	Injured in fall and euthanised.
1861	The Conductor		Refused	Injured in mêlée and later euthanised.
1856	Banstead	2 & 18	Fell	Injured in fall and euthanised.
1855	Miss Mowbray		Fell
1854	Bedford	9 & 25	Fell	Injured in fall and euthanised.
1849 1849 Grand National The 1849 Grand National Steeplechase was the eleventh official annual running of a handicap steeplechase horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday, February 28. It attracted a field of twenty-four competitors for a prize valued at £825....	The Curate	2 & 18	Fell	Injured in fall and euthanised.
1849 1849 Grand National The 1849 Grand National Steeplechase was the eleventh official annual running of a handicap steeplechase horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday, February 28. It attracted a field of twenty-four competitors for a prize valued at £825....	Equinox	3 & 19	Fell
1849 1849 Grand National The 1849 Grand National Steeplechase was the eleventh official annual running of a handicap steeplechase horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday, February 28. It attracted a field of twenty-four competitors for a prize valued at £825....	Kilfane	4 & 20	Fell
1848 1848 Grand National The 1848 Grand National Steeplechase was the tenth official annual running of a handicap steeplechase horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday, March 1. It attracted a, then record, field of twenty-nine competitors for a prize valued at £1,015 to the winner.The race was won by...	Counsellor		Fell
1848 1848 Grand National The 1848 Grand National Steeplechase was the tenth official annual running of a handicap steeplechase horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday, March 1. It attracted a, then record, field of twenty-nine competitors for a prize valued at £1,015 to the winner.The race was won by...	The Sailor		Fell
1848 1848 Grand National The 1848 Grand National Steeplechase was the tenth official annual running of a handicap steeplechase horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday, March 1. It attracted a, then record, field of twenty-nine competitors for a prize valued at £1,015 to the winner.The race was won by...	Blue Pill		Fell
1845 1845 Grand National The 1845 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the seventh annual running of a Handicap Steeple-chase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase Horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday 5 March 1845 and attracted a field of fifteen runners...	Clansman	8 & 24	Fell
1839 1839 Grand National The 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the first official annual running of a steeplechase which later became known as the Grand National.It was held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 26 February 1839 and attracted a field of seventeen runners.Although recorded by the press at...	Dictator	9 & 25	Fell

Summary by fence

The following table summarises the total number of equine fatalities by each of the 16 fences on the course, and includes the current height of each.

Fence #	Current height	Total fatalities
1 & 17	4'06"	4
2 & 18	4'07"	4
3 & 19 (Open Ditch)	4'10"	3
4 & 20	4'10"	7
5 & 21	5'00"	1
6 & 22 (Becher's Brook Becher's Brook Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year... )	5'00"	13
7 & 23 (Foinavon Foinavon Foinavon was a relatively undistinguished Irish racehorse, until he became famous for winning the Grand National in 1967 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. He was at one time owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours... 's)	4'06"	0
8 & 24 (Canal Turn Canal Turn The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England.... )	5'00"	4
9 & 25 (Valentine's)	5'00"	4
10 & 26	5'00"	0
11 & 27 (Open Ditch)	5'00"	0
12 & 28	5'00"	1
13 & 29	4'07"	1
14 & 30	4'06"	1
15 (The Chair)	5'02"	3
16 (Water Jump)	2'06"	0

Summary by fence

See also