Celebre D'Allen died from 'post-race infection'

BBC News

10-04-2025

Grand National runner Celebre D'Allen died from a "severe bacterial respiratory infection" that developed after the race, a post-mortem has determined. However, the post-mortem acknowledged the horse's immune system was "severely compromised" after the "exercise-associated episode" during Saturday's race.The 13-year-old did not finish at Aintree, having been pulled up after the final fence before collapsing on the track.After initially showing signs of recovery, Celebre D'Allen's condition "deteriorated significantly" and he died on Tuesday.Jockey Micheal Nolan, Celebre D'Allen's rider, was handed a 10-day suspension after Aintree stewards ruled he 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".But the post-mortem found that the effects of the incident had "concluded by the time of death".
The horse developed pleuropneumonia - a bacterial respiratory infection - after the race.The infection resulted in the onset of sepsis, which is "likely to have been a key factor" in the cause of death.Blood tests taken on the day of the race indicated that the infection had not been present in the horse on raceday.The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said the post-mortem is just "one part" of their reviewing process of any fatality and that Celebre D'Allen's death will be analysed in detail. Celebre D'Allen was a 125-1 shot at the National, which was won by jockey Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett.On Tuesday, it was also announced that Mullins has been given an eight-day ban after his ride was referred to the Whip Review Committee.The amateur jockey, 35, breached the whip rules during the race, using his whip eight times after the final fence when the limit in jump racing is seven.He will be suspended for eight separate days including 23 and 25 April.Celebre D'Allen's death prompted criticism from animal rights groups, with Animal Rising saying the sport of horse racing was to blame for the horse's death. Animal Aid said it was "disgraceful" to allow a horse of Celebre D'Allen's age to be ridden in the "most gruelling race in the country".The BHA said there had been 24 13-year-old horses since 2000 who have competed in the Grand National, with no previous fatalities.