The Tragic Incident at Aintree

Jockey Micheal Nolan expressed profound sorrow following the death of his horse, Celebre D'Allen, after the Grand National at Aintree. The 13-year-old horse had shown promise during the race but collapsed after the final fence. Nolan, who was leading towards the end, described the moment as devastating.

Nolan's Emotional Response

"I was absolutely heartbroken," Nolan told the Racing Post. "Ten strides before the second-last fence, I thought I might win the Grand National. But two strides after the last, I knew something was terribly wrong." Nolan faced a 10-day suspension for continuing the race despite the horse's evident distress.

Social Media Backlash

Following the incident, Nolan deactivated his social media accounts due to the overwhelming abuse he received. He emphasized his deep love for horses, stating, "I'm obsessed with horses; I love them and care deeply. I was more upset than anybody when Celebre D'Allen died."

Post-Mortem Findings

A post-mortem examination revealed that Celebre D'Allen died from a severe bacterial respiratory infection that developed after the race. The horse's immune system was severely compromised due to the physical exertion during the race.

Criticism from Animal Rights Groups

Celebre D'Allen's death sparked criticism from animal rights organizations, with Animal Rising attributing the tragedy to the inherent risks of horse racing. The incident has reignited debates about the safety and ethics of the sport.

Nolan's Final Words

"The only thing I want people to know is that I'm more upset than anybody that something has happened," Nolan concluded. "If I'd thought for a moment that I might cost him his life or cause him a bad injury, I would never have jumped the last."