Did any horses die in the Grand National? Aintree bosses offer update

The Grand National saw 40 horses run at Aintree with 16 finishing the race in total and there were a few heavy falls with Broadway Boy and Celebre D’Allen both needing further treatment from vets

The 2025 Grand National avoided disaster as all 34 horses appear to be healthy despite some scary falls. The showpiece race at Aintree took place on Saturday afternoon and was eventually won by 33-1 outsider Nick Rockett.

There were however some worrying scenes during the race though as Broadway Boy suffered a nasty fall having led for the majority of the race. Celebre D’Allen was also one of the other horses that fell.

And there have been some updates on each of those animals. Broadway Boy was able to walk into the horse ambulance having been put through further assessments by vets on the course. Celebre D’Allen was also eventually able to stand and moved to the ambulance.

An update from ITV read: “All horses back in the stables, Celebre D’Allen and Broadway Boy were assessed on course and walked onto the horse ambulance.”

READ MORE: Huge Broadway Boy update as jockey sent to hospital following horror Grand National fallREAD MORE: Nick Rockett’s owner reveals heartbreaking story behind stunning Grand National victory

A statement from the British Horseracing Authority, added: “Both horses received immediate and extensive treatment by the vets, also calling on the first class facilities and various teams on site. This treatment and assessment will continue into the evening.”

All other horses came through the race unscathed at Aintree. While Broadway Boy needed treatment following his fall, the same could be said of jockey Tom Bellamy, who was admitted to hospital.

Away from the showpiece race, there had been some sad news at Aintree following a heart-breaking death earlier in the festival. Willy De Houelle suffered a fatal injury during the Juvenile Hurdle on Thursday afternoon.

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A British Horse Racing Authority spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to Willy De Houelle. All the horses taking part had passed medical checks before racing. As is the case with any fatal injury, the incident will now be looked at in detail.”

They added: “British racing is relentless in its efforts to reduce avoidable risk. However, as with any sport or activity involving horses it is impossible to remove risk entirely. The fatal injury rate in Jump racing is 0.44% of runners.

“At all times during a racehorse’s life, including when in training, at the racecourse or after its racing career has finished, the BHA requires that the health and well-being of the horse should be the primary consideration of those responsible for the horse’s care. The sport also has in place an independently-Chaired Horse Welfare Board which has delivered a five-year welfare strategy which has safety as a core area of focus.”

A total of 88 horses have died when competing in the famous steeplechase, which began in 1839. 18 of those deaths have come since 2000 alone.

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