Grand National jockey banned after horse collapses as statement issued

A jockey has been handed a 10-day racing ban after the horse he was riding collapsed on the track. During this year's Grand National, held at Aintree, two horses required on-course veterinary assessments following severe falls. Out of the 34 horses that started the race, only 18 managed to complete the course.

Broadway Boy and Celebre d'Allen suffered injuries after falling during the event. Broadway Boy, who had been leading the four-and-a-quarter mile race, fell at the 25th fence and received immediate care on the track for an extended period, causing a delay of over 10 minutes in the 5pm contest. Celebre d'Allen, ridden by Micheal Nolan and trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, was pulled up after jumping the final fence.



The 13-year-old horse then collapsed on the course. Fortunately, both horses were able to walk onto a 'horse ambulance' and return to the stables, where they continue to receive care, according to racing authorities, reports the Manchester Evening News . The British Horseracing Authority stated: "Both horses received immediate and extensive treatment by the vets, also calling on the first-class facilities and various teams on site.

"This treatment and assessment will continue into the evening." However, in an update on Saturday evening, stewards announced that Nolan has been suspended for 10 days following an inquiry into his decision to continue riding Celebre d'Allen after jumping the penultimate fence. The prohibition will be enforced from April 19-26 and again on May 3 and 5.

A report from the stewards stated: "An inquiry was held to consider whether Micheal Nolan, the rider of Celebre d'Allen, had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence. "The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.

" In a separate incident, Broadway Boy's jockey Tom Bellamy was taken to hospital after a fall. The race saw an unexpected victory by 33/1 outsider Nick Rockett..