Grand National horse Envoye Special dies after injury at Aintree

Grand National horse Envoye Special has died after a fatal fall during the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree. He is the first horse to die during the racing action this year after two died in 2022 with animal safety charities calling for tighter safety measures as a result.

60 horses have now died at the famous Aintree meeting in total including 15 since the year 2000. Discorama and Eclair Surf were both put down after the last Grand National with two others put down over the course of the three days.

Envoye Special is the first to lose its life in 2023. The horse was being ridden by Mr James King with only amateur jockeys able to compete. The nine-year-old had unseated his rider during the Foxhunters chase and was assessed by vets at the scene after coming down with an injury. However, he had to be put to sleep after nothing could be done to help him. 

Envoye Special, trained by Keiran Burke, was running for the first time at Aintree after most recently finishing third at Wincanton at the start of March. 

Animal rights groups have called for tighter safety measures in light of the tragedy at Aintree today given the brutal toll the sport takes on horses. 

In a statement, Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The tragic death of Envoye Special at the Randox Grand National Festival today shows how the lives of horses are being sacrificed simply for entertainment and gambling.

“It’s time for change and for a new independent regulatory body with horse welfare as its number one priority to be introduced, as well as a ban on whip use during all races.

“One death is a death too many, but we’ve now seen scores of horses dying at the Aintree Festival since the turn of the century.

“The only answer can be tighter safety measures at racecourses in the UK, and proper scrutiny of horse welfare.”

For their part, British Racing has invested more than £20m into veterinary activities including research and education over the last decade while the governing body also has self-imposed and enforced welfare standards which they say exceed national animal welfare legislation.

The meeting continues tomorrow with seven races on ladies’ day.