Overview
- Gold Dancer won at Aintree’s steeplechase meeting and was euthanized shortly after suffering a severe injury at the final fence.
- Aintree said veterinarians treated the seven-year-old gelding on course but could not save him, and screens were placed around the horse during efforts to help.
- James Given, the UK racing regulator’s equine health lead, said jockey Paul Townend could not have detected the injury during the race and acted correctly by dismounting and seeking help.
- The League Against Cruel Sports called the race a “heartless spectacle,” urged the government to step in, and asked the public and companies to boycott the festival.
- Campaigners highlighted a wider pattern, citing four recent equine deaths at the Cheltenham Festival and long-term fatality counts at major jump-racing events including Aintree and Cheltenham.