List of equine fatalities in the Grand National - wikipedia List of equine fatalities in the Grand National Modern steeplechase races have an average of just over 4 equine fatalities for every 1,000 horses taking part, according to the British Horseracing Authority. However, the Grand National, a popular steeplechase held annually in England, yielded 7 fatalities out of 439 horses taking part between 2000 and 2010. The Grand National is a National Hunt handicap race over a distance of 4 miles 31⁄2 furlongs and over 30 fences at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. The high number of equine deaths in the race has made it a target for animal rights activists. While course officials have repeatedly taken safety measures over the years, such as improving veterinary facilities and reducing the severity of fences, some have campaigned for further modifications or the abolition of the event that was inaugurated in 1839. After the 1989 Grand National, in which two horses died in incidents at Becher 's Brook ( the sixth and 22nd fence on the course ), Aintree began making significant changes to the fences that are jumped during the National. The brook on the landing - side of Becher 's was filled in to prevent horses rolling back into it, and the incline on the landing - side has been mostly levelled out, whilst retaining a drop to slow the runners. Other fences have been reduced in height, toe - boards have been made taller, and the entry requirements for participating horses have been made stricter, such as the requirement for runners to have been placed fourth or better in a previous recognised steeplechase over a distance of at least three miles. Some within the horseracing community, including some with notable achievements in the Grand National, such as Ginger McCain and Bob Champion, have argued that the lowering of fences and the narrowing of ditches, primarily designed to increase horse safety, has had the adverse effect by encouraging the runners to race faster. During the 1970s and 1980s the Grand National saw a total of 12 horses die ( half of which were at Becher 's Brook ) ; in the next 20 - year period from 1990 to 2010, when modifications to the course were most significant, there were 17 equine fatalities. Contents 1 List of fatalities 2 Summary by fence 3 See also 4 References List of fatalities The animal welfare charity League Against Cruel Sports counts the number of horse deaths at 40 over the three - day meet from the year 2000 to 2013. The following list details the equine fatalities during, or as a direct result of participating in, the Grand National, that is, the showpiece steeplechase itself rather than all the various races held over the entire three - day `` Grand National meeting '' ( which includes two other races over one circuit of the National course : the Fox Hunters for amateur jockeys and the Topham for professional jockeys ). It includes, where applicable and where known, the fence at which the fatality occurred. Year Horse Fence # Fate Going Ran Note Source 2012 Synchronised While running riderless Fell Good 40 Fell at Becher 's Brook but continued running riderless until the 11th fence where he fractured his right - hind tibia and fibula and had to be euthanised. 2012 According to Pete ( 6 & ) 22 Brought down Good 40 Fractured his left - fore humerus and had to be euthanised. 2011 Ornais 4 ( & 20 ) Fell Good 40 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 2011 Dooneys Gate 6 ( & 22 ) Fell Good 40 Fractured his thoracolumbar upon falling and had to be euthanised. 2009 Hear The Echo While running Collapsed Good - soft 40 Collapsed on the run - in and died. 2008 McKelvey While running riderless Collided with barrier Good 40 Unseated rider at 20th fence and continued running riderless until he collided with railings, was unable to regain his feet due to injuries, and had to be euthanised. 2007 Graphic Approach While running riderless Collapsed Good 40 Fell at Becher 's Brook but continued running riderless before collapsing with concussion ; he was euthanised several days later. 2006 Tyneandthyneagain 1 ( & 17 ) Fell Good - soft 40 Continued running riderless until falling later, was diagnosed with a spinal injury and had to be euthanised. 2003 Goguenard ( 3 & ) 19 Brought down Good 40 Injured in a mêlée by another falling horse and had to be euthanised. 2002 The Last Fling ( 8 & ) 24 Fell Good 40 Broke his back upon falling and died. 2002 Manx Magic ( 4 & ) 20 Fell Good 40 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1999 Eudipe ( 6 & ) 22 Fell Good 32 Broke his back upon falling and had to be euthanised. 1998 Pashto 1 ( & 17 ) Fell Heavy 37 Collapsed after falling and had to be euthanised. 1998 Do Rightly 4 ( & 20 ) Fell Heavy 37 Suffered a heart attack whilst jumping the fence. 1998 Griffins Bar While running Fell Heavy 37 Incurred a shoulder fracture after jumping the fifth fence and fell ; later had to be euthanised. 1997 Straight Talk 14 ( & 30 ) Fell Good 36 Incurred a leg fracture upon falling and had to be euthanised. 1997 Smith 's Band ( 4 & ) 20 Fell Good 36 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. Rust Never Sleeps While running Pulled up Good 27 Pulled up lame before the 13th fence, diagnosed with a broken shoulder and euthanised. 1991 Ballyhane After finishing Collapsed Good - soft 40 Suffered a haemorrhage after completing the race and died. 1990 Roll - A-Joint 8 ( & 24 ) Fell Firm 38 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1990 Hungary Hur While running Pulled up Firm 38 Incurred a leg fracture while running towards the 19th fence, pulled up and euthanised. 1989 Brown Trix 6 ( & 22 ) Fell Heavy 40 Incurred a shoulder fracture upon falling. 1989 Seeandem 6 ( & 22 ) Fell Heavy 40 Broke his back upon falling and died. Dark Ivy 6 ( & 22 ) Fell Good 40 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1984 Earthstopper After finishing Collapsed Good 40 Collapsed and died after finishing the race. Duncreggan 8 ( & 24 ) Fell Soft 41 Injured in fall and later euthanised. 1982 Again The Same 8 ( & 24 ) Pulled up 39 Upon his return home the horse was found to have broken a bone in his knee and had to be euthanised. 1979 Kintai 15 Brought down Good 34 Injured in fall and later euthanised. 1979 Alverton ( 6 & ) 22 Fell Good 34 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1978 Rag Trade While running Pulled up Firm 37 Pulled up lame before the 22nd fence and later euthanised. 1977 Winter Rain 6 ( & 22 ) Fell Good 42 Injured in fall and later euthanised. 1977 Zeta 's Son ( 9 & ) 25 Fell Good 42 Injured in fall and later euthanised. Land Lark 15 Fell Good 31 Suffered a heart attack while jumping the fence. Beau Bob ( 6 & ) 22 Fell Good 31 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1973 Grey Sombrero 15 Fell Firm 38 Incurred a shoulder fracture upon falling and had to be euthanised. 1970 Racoon 3 ( & 19 ) Fell Good 28 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and had to be euthanised. 1967 Vulcano 3 ( & 19 ) Fell Good 44 Injured in fall and euthanised. 1960 Belsize II ( 4 & ) 20 Fell Good 26 Injured in fall and euthanised with a suspected cervical fracture. 1959 Henry Purcell 6 & 22 Fell Good 34 Broke his back upon falling and had to be euthanised. 1954 Dominick 's Bar 2 & 18 Fell Soft 29 Suffered a heart attack while jumping the fence. 1954 Paris New York 4 & 20 Fell Soft 29 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1954 Legal Joy 13 & 29 Fell Soft 29 Broke a leg in a fall and had to be euthanised. 1954 Coneyburrow 12 & 28 Fell Soft 29 Injured in a fall and later euthanised. 1953 Cardinal Error 4 ( & 20 ) Fell Good 31 Injured or possibly killed in a fall. 1953 Parasol II 8 ( & 24 ) Fell Good 31 Injured in a fall and later euthanised. 1952 Skouras 6 & 22 Fell Good - firm 47 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and had to be euthanised. 1950 Limestone Cottage 8 ( & 24 ) Fell Good 49 Injured in fall. 1946 Symbole 6 & 22 Fell Good 34 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1938 Cabin Fire 8 ( & 24 ) Fell Good 36 1938 Rock Lad 16 Injured on landing Good 36 1936 Avenger 1 & 17 Fell Good 36 Incurred a cervical fracture and had to be euthanised. 1931 Swift Roland 6 & 22 Fell `` Perfect '' 43 Fatally injured when another faller landed on him. 1931 Drin 9 & 25 Fell `` Perfect '' 43 Incurred a leg fracture and had to be euthanised. 1930 Derby Day Fell `` Perfect '' 41 1929 Stort Fell `` Average '' 66 Incurred a leg fracture and had to be euthanised. 1926 Lone Hand Fell Good 30 1922 The Inca 6 & 22 Fell Good 32 Incurred a leg fracture and had to be euthanised. 1922 Awbeg 8 & 24 Fell Good 32 Incurred a leg fracture and had to be euthanised. 1907 Kilts 1 & 17 Fell Good 23 1901 True Blue Fell Snow 24 1891 The Emperor While running Fell Good 21 Having been pulled up, fell and broke his back while running back to the stables. 1882 Wild Monarch Fell Heavy 12 1872 Primrose 2 & 18 Fell Hard 25 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1871 Lord Raglan Fell `` Perfect '' 25 Broke a leg and was euthanised. 1869 Huntsman 's Daughter `` Average '' 22 Reports state only that the horse had to be euthanised after the race. 1868 Chimney Sweep While running Collided with barrier Heavy 21 Injured when collided with barrier on the Melling Road and had to be euthanised. 1863 Telegraph 5 & 21 Fell Good 16 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1862 O'Connell 15 Fell `` Average '' 13 Was taken to the stables where he later died. His rider, Joe Wynne, also died later that evening from injuries sustained in the fall ; this is the only occasion a jockey has been killed in the Grand National. 1861 The Conductor Refused `` Average '' 24 Injured in mêlée and had to be euthanised. 1857 Garry Owen Pulled up Heavy 28 Ruptured his loins. 1857 Albatross Collapsed Heavy 28 Fell dead while running towards the fence. 1856 Banstead 2 & 18 Fell `` Average '' 21 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1855 Miss Mowbray 8 & 24 Fell Heavy 20 Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. 1854 Bedford 9 & 25 Fell Good 20 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1849 The Curate 2 & 18 Fell Heavy 24 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1849 Equinox 3 & 19 Fell Heavy 24 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1849 Kilfane 4 & 20 Fell Heavy 24 Injured in fall and had to be euthanised. 1848 Counsellor Fell Heavy 29 1848 The Sailor Fell Heavy 29 1848 Blue Pill Fell Heavy 29 1845 Clansman 8 & 24 Fell Heavy 16 1839 Dictator 9 & 25 Fell Heavy 17 Burst blood vessel. 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 '' 2 & 18 4'07 '' 3 & 19 ( open ditch ) 4'10 '' 4 & 20 4'10 '' 8 5 & 21 5'00 '' 6 & 22 ( Becher 's Brook ) 5'00 '' 14 7 & 23 ( Foinavon ) 4'06 '' 0 8 & 24 ( Canal Turn ) 5'00 '' 7 9 & 25 ( Valentine 's ) 5'00 '' 10 & 26 5'00 '' 0 11 & 27 ( open ditch ) 5'00 '' 0 12 & 28 5'00 '' 13 & 29 4'07 '' 14 & 30 4'06 '' 15 ( The Chair ) 5'02 '' 16 ( Water Jump ) 2'06 '' 0 See also Overview of the Grand National fences Race Horse Death Watch References Jump up ^ Injuries and Fatalities British Horseracing Authority. Jump up ^ `` Risk of fatalities at Grand National is too high, says academic ''. Anglia Ruskin University. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2011. Jump up ^ `` BBC News - Who, what, why : How dangerous is the Grand National ? ''. bbc.co.uk. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Horse Welfare & Safety ''. Aintree.co.uk. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Animal Welfare Groups Have Called For A Ban On Aintree 's Grand National Race After Two Horses Died UK News Sky News ''. News.sky.com. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` BBC Sport - Horse Racing - Grand National : Ginger McCain queries smaller fences ''. BBC News. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Grand National : Neptune Collonge Honoured After Horses Die Following Aintree Race UK News Sky News ''. News.sky.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` BBC Sport - According to Pete trainer wants bigger Grand National fences ''. Bbc.co.uk. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2014/apr/injury-and-fatalities-are-inevitable-during-grand-national-meet Jump up ^ http://www.aintree.co.uk/docLib/2009_pages010109.pdf ^ Jump up to : `` Synchronised and According to Pete die in Grand National ''. 14 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Grand - National - deaths - According - To - Pete - trainer - backs - Aintree ''. Daily Mail. London. 16 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : Davies, Stephen ( 10 April 2011 ). `` Aintree day of horror as TV audience of millions see two horses die at the National ''. Daily Mail. London. Jump up ^ `` Mon Mome seals shock National win ''. BBC News. 4 April 2009. Jump up ^ Harlow, Phil ( 5 April 2008 ). `` Comply Or Die wins Grand National ''. BBC News. Jump up ^ Armytage, Marcus ( 11 May 2007 ). `` Sad end for Graphic Approach ''. The Daily Telegraph. London. Jump up ^ `` Aintree Grand National Result 2006 ''. Racingbetter.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Monty 's Pass wins Grand National ''. BBC News. 5 April 2003. ^ Jump up to : `` News - Liverpool Local News - Bindaree comes back to win National ''. Liverpool Echo. 6 April 2002. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Aintree+%2799%3A+Eudipe+team+left+stunned+by+loss.-a060189260 ^ Jump up to : `` Inquiries launched into Grand National deaths ''. BBC News. 6 April 1998. ^ Jump up to : `` Horses pay price of failure ''. BBC News. 3 April 1998. Jump up ^ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WHERE+THEY+FINISHED+WHERE+THEY+FELL.-a061180250 Jump up ^ ( 1 ) ^ Jump up to : http://grandnational-thearchives.bravehost.com/1990.html ^ Jump up to : http://www.angelfire.com/alt/constantinople66/thefences.htm Jump up ^ `` ' A mistake at Becher 's proved fatal. Dark Ivy came down perpendicular and broke his neck ' `` Sporting Intelligence ''. Sportingintelligence.com. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` Hello Dandy Wins National ''. The New York Times. 1 April 1984. Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KsZqGdBZ_U Jump up ^ http://grittar1982.webs.com/ Jump up ^ `` Rubstic ''. Grand National. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ Patrick Weaver ( 12 April 2010 ). `` Jonjo O'Neill exorcises Alverton demons ''. Retrieved 17 April 2011. Jump up ^ `` Rag Trade ''. Grand National. 9 March 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` 1977 : Hat trick for Red Rum ''. BBC News. 2 April 1977. ^ Jump up to : ( 2 ) ^ Jump up to : http://www.grandnationalinsider.co.uk/pdfs/1975.pdf Jump up ^ http://www.freewebs.com/grandnationalanorak/therace.htm Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxVSjJcxTxw Jump up ^ Malcolm, Derek ( 9 January 1967 ). `` Classic report : Foinavon takes evasive action and triumphs ''. The Guardian. London. Jump up ^ BBC TV race footage shows the field racing towards Becher 's second time with Belsize tailed off. The horse takes a heavy fall at fence 20. Press coverage confirms the fall proved fatal. Jump up ^ `` The Priston Web ''. Priston.org.uk. 2 January 1957. Retrieved 23 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` 1954 GRAN NATIONAL, GREAT FOOTAGE, ROYAL TAN WINS ''. YouTube. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` GRAND NATIONAL ( CRUELTY ) ( Hansard, 29 April 1954 ) ''. Hansard.millbanksystems.com. 29 April 1954. Retrieved 23 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : Belfast Telegraph Newspaper, 28 March 1953 Jump up ^ `` Skouras Takes a Fatal Fall at Aintree - HU045787 - Rights Managed - Stock Photo - Corbis ''. Corbisimages.com. 5 April 1952. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ http://fiftiesnationals.webs.com/1950.htm Jump up ^ `` 1946 GRAND NATIONAL, GREAT FOOTAGE, LOVELY COTTAGE WINS ''. YouTube. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` THE GRAND NATIONAL 1936 - British Pathé ''. Britishpathe.com. Retrieved 23 April 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Sport : Grand National, Apr. 6, 1931 ''. Time. 6 April 1931. ^ Jump up to : `` Animals : Gamble, Violation, Disgrace ''. Time. 27 April 1931. ^ Jump up to : `` 29 CHASERS FELL IN RACE. ; Only Three Finished in Grand National Over Hard English Course '' ( PDF ). The New York Times. 18 April 1922. ^ Jump up to : `` Full text of `` Heroes and heroines of the Grand National '' ``. Archive.org. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ Liverpool Mercury 22 March 1871 page 7 Jump up ^ Liverpool Mercury Thursday 4 March 1869 page 3, column 3 Jump up ^ Liverpool Mercury 13 March 1862 page 3 ^ Jump up to : Liverpool Daily Post Thursday 5 March 1857 Jump up ^ Grand National History 1849 - 1840 Grand National History 1840s Jump up ^ Charles Arlington Blew, William ( 1901 ). A History of Steeple - chasing. London : J.C. Nimmo. p. 302. Jump up ^ `` Grand National : The 1839 Grand National ''. Grandnational.hyak.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` The 26th of February 1839 AD, First Grand National, famous dates in History ''. Information-britain.co.uk. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2012. Grand National Races by year 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1989 1990 1991 1997 1998 2017 2018 2019 Course Aintree Racecourse Becher 's Brook Canal Turn The Chair Famous horses Aldaniti Battleship Corbiere Crisp Devon Loch The Duke E.S.B. Foinavon Golden Miller L'Escargot Lord Gyllene Lottery Peter Simple Red Rum West Tip Famous jockeys Duke of Alburquerque Jack Anthony Martin Becher Tommy Carberry Bob Champion Richard Dunwoody Brian Fletcher Dick Francis Josh Gifford Bruce Hobbs Count Karl Kinsky Jem Mason Tony McCoy Tom Olliver Ernest Piggott Richard Pitman Ruby Walsh Fred Winter Other people Peter Bromley Ginger McCain Vincent O'Brien Michael O'Hehir Peter O'Sullevan Jenny Pitman Fred Rimell Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Lord Oaksey Lord Sefton Lists List of Grand National winners List of Grand National first four placings List of equine fatalities in the Grand National List of female Grand National jockeys Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_equine_fatalities_in_the_Grand_National&oldid=846977092 '' Categories : Aintree Racecourse Grand National Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from April 2012 CS1 : Julian -- Gregorian uncertainty Use British English from December 2014 Use dmy dates from April 2017 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2018 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 22 June 2018, at 02 : 23 ( UTC ). 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Question: how many horses die in the grand national
Answer: 7 fatalities out of 439 horses taking part between 2000 and 2010