# List of equine fatalities in the Grand National

This is a list of equine fatalities in the Grand National (88 as of 2024), an annual steeplechase horse racing event held at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. The Grand National is a National Hunt handicap race that is held over a distance of 4 miles and 3½ furlongs, with a field of 34 horses jumping 30 fences.
According to the British Horseracing Authority, modern steeplechase races have an average of just over 4 equine fatalities for every 1,000 horses taking part in a race. The Aintree Grand National yielded 7 equine fatalities out of 439 horses taking part between 2000 and 2010, a rate of almost 16 equine fatalities per 1,000 horses taking part (or 0.64 fatalities per race of 40 horses). In the five years to 2023, the fatality rate has risen, averaging 25 equine fatalities per 1,000 horses taking part (or one fatality per race of 40 horses).

## Background

The high number of equine deaths in the Aintree Grand National race has made it a focus for animal rights activists. While course officials have taken safety measures over the years, such as improving veterinary facilities and reducing the severity of fences, some campaign for further modifications and even 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 previously 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.

## 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).
The list includes, where applicable and where known, the fence at which the fatality occurred.
| Year | Horse | Fence No. | Fate | Going | Ran | Details | Source |
| 2023 | Hill Sixteen | 1 | Fell | Good | 39 | Fell at first and sustained "unrecoverable injury" | . The fence was skipped on the second lap. |
| 2022 | Eclair Surf | 3 (& 19) | Fell | Good-soft | 40 | Fell at 3rd fence, was stabilised and taken back to the stables, only to be euthanised the day after due to head trauma. | |
| 2022 | Discorama | While running | Pulled up | Good-soft | 40 | Pulled up before the 13th fence, was found to have incurred a pelvic injury and was euthanised. | |
| 2021 | The Long Mile | While running | Pulled up | Good-soft | 40 | Was euthanised after the race. | |
| 2019 | Up For Review | 1 | Brought down | Good-soft | 40 | Jumped successfully but was brought down by another fallen horse. The fence was skipped in the subsequent lap. | |
| 2012 | Synchronised | 11 (& 26) | 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 was euthanised. | |
| 2012 | According to Pete | (6 &) 21 | Brought down | Good | 40 | Fractured his left-fore humerus and was euthanised as a result of the fall on the second lap at Becher’s Brook. Was the 21st fence because the fifth fence was skipped on the second lap as a jockey was being treated after falling during the first lap. | |
| 2011 | Ornais | 4 | Fell | Good | 40 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. Under a new rule implemented, the horses skipped this fence on the next lap. | |
| 2011 | Dooneys Gate | 6 | Fell | Good | 40 | Fractured his thoracolumbar upon falling and was euthanised. Horses skipped this fence on the second lap. | |
| 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 was 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 was euthanised. | |
| 2003 | Goguenard | (3 &) 19 | Brought down | Good | 40 | Injured in a mêlée by another falling horse and was 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 was euthanised. | |
| 1998 | Pashto | 1 (& 17) | Fell | Heavy | 37 | Collapsed after falling and was 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 was euthanised. | |
| 1997 | Straight Talk | 14 (& 30) | Fell | Good | 36 | Incurred a leg fracture upon falling and was euthanised. | |
| 1997 | Smith's Band | (4 &) 20 | Fell | Good | 36 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. | |
| 1996 | 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. | |
| 1987 | 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. | |
| 1983 | 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 was 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 21st 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. | |
| 1975 | Land Lark | 15 | Fell | Good | 31 | Suffered a heart attack while jumping the fence. | |
| 1975 | 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 was euthanised. | |
| 1970 | Racoon | 3 (& 19) | Fell | Good | 28 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and was 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 | Slippery Serpent | 13 (& 29) | Fell | Good | 34 | Broke a leg bone, which was initially treated, however was euthanised three days later. | |
| 1959 | Henry Purcell | 6 (& 22) | Fell | Good | 34 | Broke his back upon falling and was 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 was 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 was 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. | |
| 1940 | Second Act | 16 | Injured on landing | Good | 32 | | |
| 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 was euthanised. | |
| 1931 | Swift Roland | 6 (& 22) | Fell | "Perfect" | 43 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died.. | |
| 1931 | Drin | 8 (& 24) | Fell | "Perfect" | 43 | Incurred a leg fracture and was euthanised. | |
| 1930 | Derby Day | 4 (and 20) | Fell | "Perfect" | 41 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. | |
| 1929 | Stort | 11 (and 27) | Fell | "Average" | 66 | fell at the 11th running loose, incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. | |
| 1926 | Lone Hand | | Fell | Good | 30 | | |
| 1922 | The Inca | 6 (& 22) | Fell | Good | 32 | Incurred a leg fracture and was euthanised. | |
| 1922 | Awbeg | 8 (& 24) | Fell | Good | 32 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died.. | |
| 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 was euthanised. | |
| 1871 | Lord Raglan | 15 | Fell | "Perfect" | 25 | Broke a leg and was euthanised. | |
| 1869 | Huntsman's Daughter | | | "Average" | 22 | Reports state only that the horse was euthanised after the race. | |
| 1868 | Chimney Sweep | While running at 1 | Collided with barrier | Heavy | 21 | Injured when collided with barrier on the Melling Road and was euthanised. | |
| 1863 | Telegraph | 5 & 21 | Fell | Good | 16 | Injured in fall and was euthanised. | |
| 1861 | The Conductor | | Refused | "Average" | 24 | Injured in mêlée and was 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 was euthanised. | |
| 1855 | Miss Mowbray | (6 &) 22 | Fell | Heavy | 20 | Incurred a cervical fracture upon falling and died. |
| 1854 | Bedford | 9 & 25 | Fell | Good | 20 | Injured in fall and was euthanised. | |
| 1849 | The Curate | 2 (& 18) | Fell | Heavy | 24 | Injured in fall and was euthanised. | |
| 1849 | Equinox | (3 &) 19 | Fell | Heavy | 24 | Injured in fall and was euthanised. | |
| 1849 | Kilfane | (4 &) 20 | Fell | Heavy | 24 | Injured in fall and was euthanised. | |
| 1848 | Counsellor | | Fell | Heavy | 29 | | |
| 1848 | The Sailor | | Fell | Heavy | 29 | | |
| 1848 | Blue Pill | | Fell | Heavy | 29 | | |
| 1845 | Clansman | 15 | Fell | Heavy | 16 | Fatally injured in fall. | |
| 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 No. | Current height (feet and inches) | No. of fatalities |
| 1 & 17 | 4'06" | 5 |
| 2 & 18 | 4'07" | 4 |
| 3 & 19 (open ditch) | 4'10" | 4 |
| 4 & 20 | 4'10" | 8 |
| 5 & 21 | 5'00" | 1 |
| 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" | 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 |