Aintree claims a second victim after the event

Posted on the 12th April 2015

The 2015 Aintree Grand National meeting has claimed its second victim. Balder Succes was destroyed on Sunday morning, two days after a serious fall in Friday’s Melling Chase. The 7-year-old gelding injured his right shoulder as he violently hit the ground early on in the race.

The news of Balder Succes comes after the death of Seedling, a young horse who broke his neck in the first race on Grand National day. Meanwhile, Grand National runner, Balthazar King, remains in a Liverpool equine hospital with serious injuries after a shocking fall at the notorious Canal Turn fence during the first circuit of the infamous race.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘Aintree remains a deadly arena for race horses. It was not only in the Grand National that we saw chaotic scenes of falling horses but across the spectrum of races that are held at the Liverpool venue. It’s time Aintree’s welfare policy was independently reviewed. The history of horses dying at Aintree is scandalous. Forty-two have now been killed at the three day Grand National meeting since 2000.’

  • More information: Dene Stansall or Andrew Tyler on 01732 364546

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