'He was a wonderful horse and we will all miss him greatly' - Celebre D'Allen dies following Grand National run

Celebre D'Allen, who was pulled up in the closing stages of the Randox Grand National, died yesterday following his run at Aintree on Saturday.

The Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained 13-year-old was attended to on the track by veterinary staff after collapsing before being moved to a local livery yard for recuperation. In an update on Monday, White had said the horse was “going the right way”. 

However, on Tuesday the trainers issued a statement on X, which said: "We’re heartbroken to share that Celebre D’Allen has passed away. He received the very best treatment by the veterinary teams and was improving. However, he deteriorated significantly last night and could not be saved. He was a wonderful horse and we will all miss him greatly."

In a statement following the announcement, Aintree racecourse said: "Celebre D'Allen was a much-loved member of Philip and Johnson's team and all of us at Aintree are deeply saddened by today's news.

"Those who look after British racing's equine athletes every day have a unique bond with their horse and provide the very best care imaginable. Our thoughts are with everyone connected with Celebre D'Allen."

Owned by Allen Stennett, Celebre D’Allen had briefly led the Grand National between the third-last and penultimate fences, but was pulled up on the run-in after weakening rapidly. At this point, the nine-time winner collapsed but was able to be taken to the stables following treatment on the course by veterinarians.

The ride given to Celebre D’Allen was sanctioned by the stewards, who banned jockey Micheal Nolan for ten days as he “continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence”.

Celebre D’Allen was the second fatality of the Grand National meeting after Willy De Houelle died following his fall in the 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle on Thursday. 

Celebre D'Allen: the 13-year-old won nine of his 30 racesCredit: John Grossick

Broadway Boy, who fell during this year’s Grand National, returned to trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies's Cotswolds base on Monday, having also been treated at the track on Saturday.

Twiston-Davies's son and assistant Willy said on Tuesday: "He's stable and things are looking good. Hopefully we'll be taking more x-rays tomorrow and he's happier in himself every day.

"We'll keep monitoring him and see how he goes. He's still very sore at the moment and that means we haven't been able to do all the tests we would like to be able to do to see if there is anything causing the soreness. But he's eating and drinking well, he's moving around and able to get down and up which he has been doing."

Celebre D'Allen is the first Grand National-related death since changes were made to the race following the 2023 edition, in which Hill Sixteen died after falling at the first fence following a delay to the start caused by animal rights protesters invading the course. 

This included reducing the maximum field size to 34 from 40, altering the start time of the race, additional scrutiny being applied to the horses entered and investing in improved watering equipment.

Brant Dunshea, acting BHA chief executive, said Celebre D'Allen, and the other 33 Grand National starters, had been subjected to a pre-race veterinary assessment and that his death would be reviewed by the regulator and the racecourse.

He said: “All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Celebre D’Allen. It has been clear to see since Saturday afternoon just how much the horse meant to his connections and we send our condolences to them today.

“The BHA and Aintree racecourse will analyse the race and this incident in detail, as is the case every year and with every fatal injury in any race. This will include the horse being sent for post-mortem."

Dunshea added: “This process of reviewing every fatality allows us to build on our existing data and help us understand how all reasonable avoidable risk can be reduced in order to keep our horses and riders as safe as possible. This process previously led to the changes that were made to the Grand National in 2024, including the reduction in the number of runners. 

“The steps we have taken to improve safety over the years reflects the great respect we have for our horses, and our commitment to their safety. More information about welfare in horseracing can be found at www.horsepwr.co.uk”

Patrick Mullins received an eight-day ban from the Whip Review Committee (WRC) for using his whip once above the permitted level when winning the Grand National on Nick Rockett.

Alongside Mullins, amateur jockey Huw Edwards also received a ban for a winning ride at Aintree last week. Edwards was given seven days by the WRC for twice using his whip in the incorrect place on Gracchus De Balme in the Foxhunters' Chase.