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Grand National Horse Celebre D’Allen: Post-Mortem Reveals Cause of Death
The tragic passing of Grand National competitor Celebre D’Allen has been attributed to a severe infection and subsequent sepsis, according to post-mortem examination findings. The 13-year-old horse collapsed at Aintree Racecourse after the Grand National event, leading to his death two days later. This revelation follows the unfortunate incident at the high-profile racing event.
Post-Race Infection Identified as Key Factor
Celebre D’Allen, a 125/1 longshot trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, succumbed on Monday night. He had faltered in the concluding stages of the Grand National and collapsed after the final jump, requiring immediate veterinary intervention. A post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the precise cause of death. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) released a statement detailing the findings, highlighting a significant infection as the primary factor in Celebre D’Allen’s demise.
The cause of death of Grand National horse Celebre D’Allen (second right) has been revealed
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The 13-year-old gelding (pictured in 2023), who was the eldest horse in the field, started well at the Grand National but collapsed after the last fence and passed away on Monday evening
Details from the Post-Mortem Report
The post-mortem, performed by Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons in Newmarket, indicated that while the exercise-associated collapse experienced by the horse had resolved by the time of death, a severe bacterial respiratory infection, specifically pleuropneumonia, developed post-race. This infection worsened, leading to sepsis, or endotoxaemia, which is believed to be a critical element in the horse’s death.
According to the BHA statement, blood tests from the day of the Grand National showed no signs of infection at that time. This suggests the infection emerged after the race. Subsequent blood tests on Monday revealed a severely weakened immune system, confirming the rapid development of a serious health issue following the Aintree event.
BHA Reviewing Circumstances Surrounding Fatality
The BHA statement further clarified that heart pathology examinations did not reveal any abnormalities that would have significantly contributed to the horse’s death. As is standard procedure for all equine fatalities in racing, the circumstances surrounding Celebre D’Allen’s death are under detailed review. The post-mortem report is a crucial component of this ongoing investigation.
Moreover, the BHA and the Jockey Club conduct a comprehensive review of the Grand National after each running, ensuring continuous assessment of safety and welfare protocols.
Trainer’s Statement on Celebre D’Allen’s Passing
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Racing previously conveyed their profound sadness regarding Celebre D’Allen’s death on Tuesday. In a statement, they shared that Celebre D’Allen had received the best possible veterinary care and initially showed signs of improvement. However, his condition deteriorated sharply, and he could not be saved. They described him as a “wonderful horse” who would be deeply missed.
Race Day Events and Subsequent Decline
Celebre D’Allen, the most senior horse competing in the Grand National, had a strong start but appeared to struggle after the second-to-last fence. Despite this, jockey Nolan continued to ride before eventually pulling up after the final jump. He was later transported in a horse ambulance for further evaluation.
Initial reports on Saturday evening indicated possible heatstroke and the horse remained at Aintree for overnight monitoring. By Sunday, there were encouraging updates on Celebre D’Allen’s condition, with his trainers sharing a video on social media platform X, depicting the horse in good spirits and seemingly well after the Grand National.
However, the post-race infection rapidly developed, leading to the tragic outcome despite initial optimism.