Aintree horse Get on George has been put down after pulling up in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle on Saturday afternoon.
The six-year-old gelding was put down on the course after suffering a broken near-hind fetlock, a joint in the rear left leg.
A total of 69 horses have now died at the Grand National Festival since 2000 and this latest tragedy came just a day after the death of Gold Dancer, who had won the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase just moments before.
Dene Stansall, the Horse Campaign Lead at Lawyers For Animals, said of Get on George’s passing: ‘Yet again a horse is killed at the Aintree Grand National Meeting.
‘There is a Duty of Care and a requirement for the Prevention of Suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, given the unprecedented number of horses killed at this meeting (69 since the year 2000) the question arises is this being breached?’
Get on George was trained by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith and jockeyed by Jack Tudor, who pulled him up after losing his action around the bend.
Veterinary experts examined the gelding on the course before deciding to put him down immediately.
Aintree Racecourse said: ‘Get on George was assessed on course by our expert veterinary team and it was decided the best course of action for the horse’s welfare was for him to be humanely euthanised. Our heartfelt condolences are with connections.’
An organisation which campaigns to end animal exploitation, Animal Aid, wrote on X: ‘Rest in peace Get on George. Another life lost at Aintree.
‘Today they became another casualty of a sport that continues to prioritise entertainment and profit over animal rights. How many more lives have to be lost before this ends?’
Meanwhile, an RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘It is incredibly sad to hear of the death of a second horse, six-year-old Get On George, at this year’s Grand National Festival at Aintree.
‘His tragic death is the 43rd competitive horse-racing fatality in the UK this year alone – and it is only April – and the 26th at the Grand National Festival over the last decade.
‘The RSPCA continues to engage with the horse-racing industry in the hope of seeing greater safety measures introduced to the sport, and meaningful improvements for equine welfare both on and off the track. Whilst we recognise – and welcome – that efforts have been made to improve safety at the Grand National in recent years, sadly the fatalities on 10th and 11th April indicate these measures are not yet adequately protecting horses from serious risk.
‘As we do at the end of each day of racing throughout the Festival, we will be speaking with the British Horseracing Authority later today (11 April) to discuss the incident, understand their assessment of what happened, and how it could have been prevented.’
Get on George is the second fatality of this year’s festival after Gold Dancer, who won the second race on Ladies’ Day.
He fell at the final hurdle, but recovered to limp over the line to victory. The six-year-old was being ridden by Paul Townend, who continued to whip the horse after its fall. The prize money for winning the race was £67,524.
Gold Dancer, who was trained by Willie Mullins, looked on course to claim victory by a few lengths but slowed once it fell. Immediately after crossing the line, Townend dismounted, and vets rushed to give treatment.
Townend insisted that the horse felt sound and continued running fine.
Screens were put up around the horse, before news of his death was confirmed.
An Aintree Racecourse statement read: ‘The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after the line and dismounted.
‘He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly he could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.’
