Envoye Special becomes the first horse to die at this year’s Grand National festival after a fatal fall, as an animal rights group repeats its pledge to disrupt the marquee steeplechase
- Envoye Special was put down following a fall on the first day of the festival
- Animal rights groups have renewed their a pledge to disrupt the Grand National
- The headline race of the festival at Aintree is scheduled to be held on Saturday
Protest group Animal Rising reiterated its plan to disrupt the main Grand National steeplechase after a horse died on the first day of the festival.
Envoye Special became the first fatality at this year’s festival after suffering a fatal fall in the Foxhunters Chase on Thursday.
The Keiran Burke-trained horse at a fence, having unseated rider James King in the race featuring amateur jockeys.
The race, which takes place over Grand National fences, was won by Famous Clermont.
The British Horseracing Authority confirmed the nature of Envoye Special’s injury led to the horse being put down.
Envoye Special was put down following a fatal fall on the first day of racing at Aintree
‘Our thoughts are with everyone connected to Envoye Special,’ a British Horseracing Authority spokesperson said.
‘No one will be more affected by this news than the trainer, owner and stable staff who have provided the horse with first-class care throughout his life.
‘Following his fall he was attended immediately by one of the 13 veterinary surgeons on site, but the nature of the injury meant that, sadly, the horse had to be humanely put down.’
The protest group Animal Rising claimed the death of the nine-year-old was ‘another example of the urgent need to address how we use animals’.
‘It is tragic to see the death of a beautiful horse at Aintree,’ said Animal Rising’s Orla Coghlan.
‘This death reflects how broken our bond is with animals and nature and the urgent need to really assess if our actions match our values as a nation of animal lovers.’
Animal Rising, previously known as Animal Rebellion and formerly linked to Extinction Rebellion, have vowed to disrupt the Grand National on Saturday.
Envoye Special, right, had suffered the fatal fall in the Foxhunters Chase on Thursday
The group has called on animal lovers to turn up at Aintree Racecourse at 9.30am on the day of the historic race.
Four horses died during last year’s festival, with Discorama and Eclair Surf put down following injuries in the Grand National.
It was the first time two horses died as a result of injuries in the race since 2012 after which a number of changes to the fences were implemented.
The deaths prompted animal rights campaigners to call for further changes to the headline race.
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