Celebre d’Allen, a competitor in the Grand National, tragically passed away after collapsing during the latter stages of the race at Aintree. The 13-year-old horse, trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, was attended to by veterinary teams after the race and initially showed signs of improvement, but his condition worsened, and he died on Monday evening.
Jockey Micheal Nolan, who rode Celebre d’Allen, faced a 10-day suspension after stewards investigated his decision to continue riding the horse after it appeared to be struggling following the second-last fence. Nolan’s actions were scrutinized during an inquiry, and after reviewing the situation, the stewards handed him the suspension.
In a statement, Hobbs and White expressed their sorrow, describing Celebre d’Allen as a “wonderful horse” and stating that he would be deeply missed. They thanked the veterinary teams for their care and efforts to help the horse, although he could not be saved after deteriorating significantly.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) acting chief executive, Brant Dunshea, shared his condolences, acknowledging the strong bond between Celebre d’Allen and his connections. He provided details of the rigorous pre-race checks the horse had undergone, including thorough examinations and consultations with experts to ensure his suitability to race. The BHA will conduct a detailed analysis of the incident, as is standard with any fatality in a race, including a post-mortem to help enhance safety measures for both horses and riders in future events.
Dunshea emphasized the BHA’s commitment to safety, noting that changes made to the Grand National in recent years, such as reducing the number of runners, were part of ongoing efforts to reduce avoidable risks.
