Second horse death in two days at Aintree raises animal welfare law questions

Get on George, a six-year-old gelding, was euthanised on course at Aintree on 11 April 2026 after suffering a broken near-hind fetlock during the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. He became the 69th horse to die at the Grand National Meeting since 2000 — and the second fatality of this year's festival in as many days, following the death of Gold Dancer on Ladies' Day.

"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?"

— Dene Stansall, Horse Campaign Lead, Lawyers for Animals

Gold Dancer won his race on 10 April before collapsing after the finish line. Jockey Paul Townend continued to whip the horse after he fell at the final hurdle, raising further welfare concerns. Get on George's death is the 43rd competitive horse-racing fatality in the UK this year alone.

Lawyers for Animals calls on the British Horseracing Authority and Aintree Racecourse to urgently review whether current safety protocols meet the legal obligations set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and to consider whether the Grand National Meeting can continue in its current form.

Read full article here.