Latest news with #PhilipHobbs
The Independent
08-04-2025
- The Independent
Horse that collapsed after Grand National dies
A horse which was ridden in the Grand National until it 'appeared to have no more to give' has died. Celebre D'Allen collapsed towards the end of the steeplechase at Aintree racecourse on Saturday afternoon and received treatment on the course before being taken to stables. On Tuesday, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Racing announced the 13-year-old horse had died. In a statement, the trainers said: '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.' Jockey Michael Nolan was suspended after riding the horse. A steward's report, published by the British Horseracing Authority, said an inquiry was held to consider whether the rider '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 report said: 'The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.' Safety changes were introduced to the world-famous race in 2024. In 2023, the start was delayed by 15 minutes after animal rights protesters' gained access to the Merseyside course. Horse Hill Sixteen died after falling at the first fence, with his owner later saying the protests contributed to his fall. A spokesman for Animal Rising, the group which carried out the 2023 demonstration, said on Tuesday: 'Celebre D'Allen, like every other victim of the Grand National, deserved a long and peaceful life. 'Instead he was raced to death by an industry driven by greed and profit. 'The blame for his death lies not with any individual but with the 'sport' of horse racing itself. 'Again and again, we see horses pushed far beyond their limits, to the point of injury, collapse and death. 'This weekend at Aintree, the public caught a glimpse of the cruel reality of racing and the nationwide concern for Broadway Boy and Celebre D'Allen says it all. 'Animal lovers across the UK are united in calling for an end to this rotten, archaic sport.' Almost 60,000 racegoers were at the course to watch the steeplechase this weekend, with millions more watching at home. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said Celebre D'Allen was provided with a 'thorough check' by vets at the course before racing and received treatment from a team of experts after his collapse. A spokesman said: '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. 'The 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. 'Prior to Saturday's race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 National. '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.' In a statement on X, the RSPCA said: 'We share in the shock and sadness at the death of Celebre D'Allen. 'Following the death of Willy De Houelle on the opening day, we have now seen two fatalities at this year's Grand National festival. We await the British Horseracing Authority's investigation into these deaths.' A spokesman for 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 horses and provide the very best care imaginable.' Broadway Boy, which also received veterinary treatment after falling during the race, was said to be recovering on Tuesday. Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies wrote on X: 'He's obviously still sore but the vets are happy with his progress. 'He's getting all the care and attention possible, he is looking brighter each day.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Horse that collapsed after Grand National dies
A horse which was ridden in the Grand National until it 'appeared to have no more to give' has died. Celebre D'Allen collapsed towards the end of the steeplechase at Aintree racecourse on Saturday afternoon and received treatment on the course before being taken to stables. On Tuesday, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Racing announced the 13-year-old horse had died. In a statement, the trainers said: '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.' Jockey Michael Nolan was suspended after riding the horse. A steward's report, published by the British Horseracing Authority, said an inquiry was held to consider whether the rider '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 report said: 'The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.' Safety changes were introduced to the world-famous race in 2024. In 2023, the start was delayed by 15 minutes after animal rights protesters' gained access to the Merseyside course. Horse Hill Sixteen died after falling at the first fence, with his owner later saying the protests contributed to his fall. A spokesman for Animal Rising, the group which carried out the 2023 demonstration, said on Tuesday: 'Celebre D'Allen, like every other victim of the Grand National, deserved a long and peaceful life. 'Instead he was raced to death by an industry driven by greed and profit. 'The blame for his death lies not with any individual but with the 'sport' of horse racing itself. 'Again and again, we see horses pushed far beyond their limits, to the point of injury, collapse and death. 'This weekend at Aintree, the public caught a glimpse of the cruel reality of racing and the nationwide concern for Broadway Boy and Celebre D'Allen says it all. 'Animal lovers across the UK are united in calling for an end to this rotten, archaic sport.' Almost 60,000 racegoers were at the course to watch the steeplechase this weekend, with millions more watching at home. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said Celebre D'Allen was provided with a 'thorough check' by vets at the course before racing and received treatment from a team of experts after his collapse. A spokesman said: '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. 'The 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. 'Prior to Saturday's race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 National. '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.' A spokesman for 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 horses and provide the very best care imaginable.' Broadway Boy, which also received veterinary treatment after falling during the race, was said to be recovering on Tuesday. Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies wrote on X: 'He's obviously still sore but the vets are happy with his progress. 'He's getting all the care and attention possible, he is looking brighter each day.'
Reuters
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Horse racing-Celebre D'Allen dies after Grand National collapse
April 8 (Reuters) - Celebre D'Allen has died days after collapsing close to the finish of the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree, his trainers said on Tuesday. The horse, a 125/1 shot, had led Saturday's race with three fences to jump, but was pulled up after the final one. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. "We're heartbroken to share that Celebre D'Allen has passed away," Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Racing said in a statement. "He received the very best treatment by the veterinary teams and was improving. However, he deteriorated significantly last night and could not be saved." Jockey Michael Nolan was suspended for 10 days after a steward's inquiry found that he had continued in the race when the horse appeared to be exhausted. "As with all runners in the Grand National, Celebre D'Allen was provided with a thorough check by vets at the racecourse," the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said in a statement. "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." The 13-year-old gelding was the oldest horse in this year's field. Since the inaugural Grand National in 1839, 89 horses have died, and the race has long been the focus of animal rights activists. New safety measures were introduced last year with the field capped at 34 runners and a standing start replacing the traditional rolling one.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
National horse Celebre d'Allen dies after collapse
Grand National runner Celebre d'Allen has died after collapsing at the final fence at Aintree on Saturday. The 13-year-old horse was treated on the course before being taken to the racehorse stables for further assessment. After initially showing signs of recovery, he died after his condition "deteriorated significantly". "We're heartbroken to share that Celebre d'Allen has passed away," trainers Philip Hobbs and Johnson White said on Tuesday. "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."Micheal Nolan, Celebre d'Allen's rider, was handed a 10-day suspension on Saturday after Aintree stewards ruled he had continued when his mount had no more to give and was losing ground. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), who passed the suspension on Nolan, said Celebre d'Allen passed the necessary checks to race at Aintree."As with all runners in the Grand National, Celebre D'Allen was provided with a thorough check by vets at the racecourse," a BHA statement read."This health check includes a trot up, physical examination of limbs to check for any heat, pain or swelling, and listening to the heart to check for any murmur or rhythm disturbance."This marks the final step in an extensive process of checks to ensure a horses' suitability to race in the National, which also includes a review of veterinary records and assessment by a panel of experts to consider a horse's race record and suitability to race." The BHA said it will analyse the "race and incident in detail", as well as sending the horse for a post-mortem. Celebre d'Allen was a 125-shot at the National, which was won by jockey Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Animal rights groups respond to ‘heartbreaking' death of Celebre d'Allen at Grand National
Animal rights groups have criticised the Grand National and the British Horseracing Authority following the 'heartbreaking' and 'needless' death of Celebre d'Allen after racing at Aintree. The 13-year-old died days after he collapsed in the showpiece event on Saturday, with his trainers Philip Hobbs and Johnson White confirming on Tuesday that his condition had worsened overnight after initially responding well to treatment. An enquiry by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) ruled that Celebre d'Allen, one of 34 horses to line up at the Grand National, was ridden 'when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground' after the penultimate fence. The Celebre d'Allen's jockey, Michael Nolan, was suspended for 10 days. The BHA have taken steps to improve safety at the Grand National in recent years, including reducing the number of runners, and said they will analyse the race in detail to 'understand how all reasonable avoidable risk can be reduced in order to keep our horses and riders as safe as possible'. 'It is absolutely heartbreaking that after being ridden in the Grand National until he had 'no more to give', Celebre d'Allen has died,' said Nina Copleston-Hawkens of Animal Aid. 'To allow a horse of this age to be ridden in the most gruelling race in the country is disgraceful.' Animal Rising spokesperson Ben Newman commented: 'Celebre D'Allen, like every other victim of the Grand National, deserved a long and peaceful life. Instead he was raced to death by an industry driven by greed and profit. "The blame for his death lies not with any individual, but with the 'sport' of horse racing itself. Again and again, we see horses pushed far beyond their limits, to the point of injury, collapse, and death. ' 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 horses and provide the very best care imaginable. Our thoughts are with everyone connected with Celebre d'Allen.' The British Horseracing Authority said: 'All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Celebre d'Allen following Saturday's Grand National. 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. "As with all runners in the Grand National, Celebre d'Allen was provided with a thorough check by vets at the racecourse. This health check includes a trot up, physical examination of limbs to check for any heat, pain or swelling, and listening to the heart to check for any murmur or rhythm disturbance. "This marks the final step in an extensive process of checks to ensure a horse's suitability to race in the National, which also includes a review of veterinary records and assessment by a panel of experts to consider a horse's race record and suitability to race. As part of this process the horse would also have been examined by the trainer's own vet on the two occasions, a month apart. "Celebre d'Allen received treatment from the team of expert vets after pulling up and then collapsing towards the end of the race. Having been immediately attended to by the teams on site, he was given all the time he needed to respond to treatment on course before being transported back to the first-class veterinary facilities at the racecourse stables, where he remained overnight, continuing to receive care and attention. He subsequently travelled to a nearby stud which was connected to the horse's owners on Sunday, having shown improvement overnight. "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. "The 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. Prior to Saturday's race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 National. "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." In total, 18 of the 34 horses riding the Grand National this year either pulled up, fell, or unseated their rider, with just 16 finishing. Another horse, Broadway Boy, owned by Nigel Twiston-Davies, suffered a hard fall at the 25th fence after leading by a length. Like Celebre d'Allen he was assessed by vets on the course before returning to the stables for further assessment. Willy Twiston-Davies - an assistant trainer and son of Nigel -
