Grand National jockey Micheal Nolan has been suspended following an incident where his mount Celebre d’Allen collapsed after the penultimate fence in the Aintree showpiece
A jockey has been handed a 10-day racing suspension following an incident where his mount Celebre d’Allen collapsed on the Aintree course during this year’s Grand National.
The iconic race witnessed two horses suffer nasty falls, prompting immediate veterinary assessment right on the track. Broadway Boy and Celebre d’Allen were both injured after falling during the famous race. Broadway Boy was leading the field before falling at the 25th fence.
Jockey Tom Bellamy has been admitted to hospital and the horse was tended to for some time post-race as the subsequent 5pm event was delayed for over 10 minutes due to ongoing trackside care. Celebre d’Allen, ridden by Micheal Nolan and sent off at long odds of 125-1, was pulled up by his rider after clearing the last hurdle.
Trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, the 13-year-old horse then collapsed. Both Broadway Boy and Celebre d’Allen managed to walk into a horse ambulance before being taken back to their stables for further medical attention, according to racing officials.
The British Horseracing Authority released a statement saying that “Both horses received immediate and extensive treatment by the vets, also calling on the first class facilities and various teams on site. This treatment and assessment will continue into the evening.”
On Saturday evening, the stewards announced that Nolan is facing a ban for the next 10 days after an investigation questioned his judgement in continuing to ride Celebre d’Allen after the penultimate obstacle had been jumped.
The restriction will be enforced from April 19-26 and again on May 3 and 5.
A report from the stewards revealed: “An inquiry was held to consider whether Micheal Nolan, the rider of Celebre d’Allen, had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence.
“The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.”
The British Horse Racing Authority has a fatality review process for when race horses die. The process sees them gather information from racecourse staff, the jockeys, trainers, trainer’s veterinary surgeon and relevant medication and training records.
That data is then collated, analysed and reviewed by a panel of industry experts. BHA say more than £50million has been invested into advancing equine health, veterinary science and research since the year 2000.