Grand National 2019: Willie Mullins’ Up For Review dies after falling at first hurdle
The 25-1 horse was seen writhing in apparent pain after the incident and was quickly put down
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Your support makes all the difference.Up For Review, the 10-year-old trained by Willie Mullins, has died after falling at the first fence during the Grand National at Aintree.
The 25-1 horse was seen writhing in apparent pain after the incident and was quickly put down. A screen could be seen erected around Up For Review on ITV’s live broadcast, before it was removed from the racetrack.
Last year the British Horseracing Authority reported a six-year high of 201 deaths in competitive races. This was the first Grand National fatality since 2012, but it followed two deaths on the previous day at Aintree, and has provoked criticism from animal welfare groups.
The RSPCA said the death of just one horse at Aintree was too many. “The RSPCA is deeply saddened and very concerned to see that three horses, Forest Des Aigles, Crucial Role and Up for Review died at the Aintree Grand National Meeting this year.
“The death of just one horse is one too many; so there is clearly a need for urgent action to reduce the risk of these tragedies occurring. We will do all we can to work alongside the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to explore the action required to prevent future injuries and deaths.”
And in a statement, the League Against Cruel Sports director Chris Luffingham said: “Much has been made about the Grand National being made safer, yet we are again talking about the tragic death of a horse during the race.
This death shows starkly why the League has repeatedly called for tighter safety measures and the formation of an independent regulatory body with horse welfare at its heart.
“The death toll at the Aintree festival has now reached three horses which is simply unacceptable.”
The charity Peta tweeted: “RIP, Up For Review. The death toll for horses subjected to the horrors of the racing industry continues to rise. 1 death today and 2 more were killed yesterday during Grand National Festival.”
The favourite, Tiger Roll, went on to win the race, making history as the first to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum in 1974.
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