A second horse has died at this year's Grand National festival at Aintree, with Get On George being 'humanely euthanised' after pulling up in the second race of the final day. The six-year-old was contesting the William Hill Handicap Hurdle when he lost his action around the bend and was quickly dismounted by jockey Jack Tudor.
Following assessment by the on-course veterinary team, the decision was made to put the horse down due to a fatal injury. The death follows that of Gold Dancer, who was euthanised after winning the Mildmay Novices' Chase on Friday.
ITV host Ed Chamberlin paused the broadcast to deliver the news, expressing condolences to the connections, including owners the Parkinsons and Sue Smith, and groom Paul Riley. Wade Out won the race, with jockey Gavin Sheehan returning from a ban, but thoughts were with Get On George.
Two horses died at last year's festival, and despite safety improvements such as plastic cores in fences and a reduced Grand National field size, fatalities continue. The Jockey Club notes that the average number of fallers has halved historically, with the 10-year fatality rate reduced by over a third.
