Second horse, Pikar, dies on Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse

A second horse has died on Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse.

Earlier on Friday, April 12, it was confirmed Giovinco died after falling during the 1.45pm Mildmay Novice Chase. The horse was being ridden by Stephen Mulqueen.

An Aintree Racecourse spokesperson today told the ECHO: “During our first race of the day, Giovinco fell at the last fence and was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary professionals.

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"After assessment, sadly they concluded the necessary course of action for the horse’s welfare was to put him to sleep. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”

Later, in the 5.15pm in the Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' And Amateur Riders' Race), Pikar suffered a fatal fall.

A statement from an Aintree Racecourse spokesperson to the Express said: "Pikar sadly passed away following a fall at the second last hurdle in the last race of the day, having also been attended to on course by our veterinary team. Our heartfelt condolences are with the connections of both horses."

The two horse fatalities have come after big changes made by the Jockey Club in order to protect the welfare of racehorses and jockeys. The start time for the Grand National itself was brought forward - from 5.15pm to 4pm - due to "concerns about the long build-up to the race throughout the day and heightened tension as a result."

The Jockey Club said the move would "also help us to maintain optimal jumping ground, as warm or breezy conditions can dry out the racing surface."

Other changes introduced for the upcoming race include decreasing the number of horses running the Grand National from 40 to 34 to reduce the risk of incidents during the race. There has also been a number of targeted changes to reduce the opportunity for horses to build up too much speed at the start of the race.

This has meant moving the first fence 60 yards closer to the start to slow the early stages of the race and implementing a standing start that will apply to all races over the Grand National fences throughout the 2023-24 season and beyond.

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