Dark Raven dies at Grand National Festival and is 2nd horse put down at Aintree

A second horse at the Aintree Grand National has had to be put down this week.

Dark Raven suffered a fall and had to be put down at the Aintree Racecourse on Saturday ahead of the Grand National. He fell at the seventh hurdle in the Aintree Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle.

After sustaining an injury, on course vets took the decision to euthanise him. The six-year-old is the second fatality at Aintree this year, following Envoye Special's passing.

Envoye Special ran loose before falling in the Randall Foxhunter's Chase. Dark Raven was being ridden by Paul Townend at the time of his fall, but the rider is believed to have emerged from the fall relatively unscathed.

The Willie Mullins' trained horse had to be put down after an on-course assessment from vets. In March, Dark Raven had previously run at the Cheltenham Festival. His fifth placed finish in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle saw the bookies put him at 10/3 for the race.

ITV pundit Richard Hoiles tweeted: “Had to wait for official news before can pass on. Cool Survivor ok but Dark Raven fall sadly proved fatal.”

In December last year, Dark Raven overcame a lengthy injury lay-off to win the Thornton's Recycling Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Dark Raven's co-owner Simon Munir also tweeted on social media: "Thank you for all your kind messages on the sad loss of our dear Dark Raven. RIP."

In the last ten years, British Racing has invested more than £20m into veterinary activities.

This includes, but not limited to, research and education. The governing body also has to ensure it meets self imposed and enforced welfare standards, which they state exceed that of national animal welfare legislation. The British Horseracing Authority also ensured each course is thoroughly inspected, before it is confirmed as fit to race.