Iconic Grand National winner Auroras Encore dies as tributes pour in for legend
Auroras Encore won the Grand National in 2013, storming clear to claim a famous victory at Aintree under the guidance of jockey Ryan Mania and trainer Sue Smith
Auroras Encore has died at the age of 23(Image: Getty)
Auroras Encore, the 2013 Grand National winner, has passed away at the age of 23, sparking an outpouring of tributes for the horse who secured a legendary triumph at Aintree.
Partnered by Ryan Mania and prepared by Sue Smith, the 66/1 longshot surged ahead to prevail by nine lengths 13 years ago. He stands as the biggest-priced victor of the country’s most famous steeplechase in more than 15 years.
J Parkinson and S Smith Racing announced the devastating news on social media, writing: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of 2013 Grand National winner, Auroras Encore, 23. He achieved what every owner, trainer dreams of.
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“After his racing days were over, he spent his retirement here with us. Rest easy, champion. You will always be remembered,” reports the Express.
The Irish-bred bay gelding prevailed in eight of his 47 outings, including six successes over fences.
His remarkable staying power was evident even prior to his Aintree heroics – just 12 months earlier, he had placed second in the 2012 Scottish Grand National before going on to secure glory at Aintree the subsequent year.
When Auroras Encore captured the Grand National, he became the first northern-prepared victor of the contest in more than thirty years.
He would race just twice more after the triumph before being retired in 2014 following a leg injury at Doncaster. His Grand National victory marked the summit for trainer Smith, who had simply hoped for a top-five placing when she entered 13 years ago.
She revealed at the time: “I would have been happy to have been in the first four or five and we’ve won it.
“The horse ran a fantastic race, Ryan gave him a fantastic ride and always had the horse where he wanted to be. He ran so well in the Scottish National (2nd) that we knew he would get the trip.”
Jockey Mania revealed: “Everything went right. Crossing the Melling Road I thought we could be in the first three or four. I couldn’t believe the way the front two stopped in front of me at the last.”
Smith stayed hopeful that Auroras Encore would enjoy a well-earned retirement, maintaining he “doesn’t owe us anything” after injury cut short his racing career prematurely.
She explained: “I just want him to have a happy retirement. They got him up successfully after surgery and he was staying overnight in the operation box. Fingers crossed. He won the National for us. It doesn’t get bigger than that.
“He doesn’t owe us anything. This is a racing injury and I’m afraid that is what you have to expect from the job on occasion. I just want him back to his retirement.”
