Willie Mullins suffered heartbreak on day two of the Grand National Festival in England when winning horse Gold Dancer sadly died.
Jockey Paul Townend jumped off the Grade 1 William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase victor as soon as he crossed the line on Friday.
The seven-year-old gelding suffered a final-flight mishap but made it to the finish, seeing off Paul Nicholls’ Regent’s Stroll after the pair’s epic battle in the 3m contest.
Sadly, Townend sensed something was up with his mount and immediately called for medical assistance.
Gold Dancer was attended to by vets and given the best possible care but ultimately could not be saved.
The official BHA stewards’ report read: “An inquiry was held into the riding of the winner, GOLD DANCER (FR), ridden by P. Townend, from jumping the final fence up until rounding the bend towards the pull up area after which the gelding was immediately assessed by Veterinary Surgeons and subsequently euthanised on welfare grounds.
“Townend and the Director of Equine Regulation, Safety, and Welfare were both interviewed and shown recordings of the incident.
“Townend explained that GOLD DANCER (FR) had made a bad mistake at the last fence after which it had taken a stride or two for the gelding to gather himself before, in his opinion, running on in a straight line to the winning line where GOLD DANCER (FR) felt sound.
“Townend added that it was only until rounding the bend towards the pull up area that the gelding’s action changed when GOLD DANCER (FR) went from a canter to a trot after which he immediately dismounted from the gelding.
“After reviewing the footage, The Director of Equine, Safety, and Welfare explained that GOLD DANCER (FR)’s action was typical of a 3-mile chaser in the final stages of a race and supported the evidence of Townend.
“After hearing all of their evidence, the Stewards noted Townend’s explanation.”
The horse was owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud.
His brother Eddie O’Leary confirmed: “He’s been put down. He broke his back.
“It’s terribly sad for the horse. What could Paul Townend do?
“He felt fine, it was just when he pulled up that something was wrong.”
Gold Dancer was sent off 100-30 joint-favourite on the back of his promising runner-up finish in the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
He was well beaten by Grand National hope Oscars Brother on his last start over 3m.
But with form against Final Demand and Romeo Coolio, another try at the trip looked a wise move and so it proved.
It’s just such a shame that, in victory, he sustained an injury that was fatal.
A statement from Aintree racecourse said: “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after the line and dismounted.
“He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly he could not be saved.
“Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”
