Sports10 April, 20261 min read
Willie Mullins' Gold Dancer Dies After Winning Mildmay Novices' Chase At Aintree
Gold Dancer won Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree, ridden by Paul Townend for Willie Mullins. Gold Dancer sustained a broken back at the final fence and was euthanised after finishing.
Gold Dancer's Fatal Injury
Gold Dancer was put down after suffering a broken back while winning the Mildmay Novices' Chase. The horse clipped the final fence and dragged his hind legs before crossing the finish line. Jockey Paul Townend rode the stricken horse across the finish line before dismounting.
Owners Gigginstown confirmed the death, stating it was terribly sad for the horse. Animal welfare campaigners condemned the sport, with the League Against Cruel Sports saying horses die for entertainment and a cheap bet.
Jockey Defense and Official Inquiry
Paul Townend was defended by talkSPORT's Lizzie Kelly. The BHA stewards' report detailed an enquiry into Townend's riding. Townend explained Gold Dancer made a bad mistake but ran on to the winning line where he felt sound.
It was only when rounding the bend that the horse's action changed and Townend dismounted. The Jockey Club's data shows the average number of fallers has halved throughout their history.
Animal Welfare Backlash
The death of Gold Dancer intensified scrutiny of horse racing's safety record. Animal Aid called for a boycott of the sport. The League Against Cruel Sports demanded government action.
The death came less than a year after two horses died at the same festival. The Guardian noted the audit system was fundamentally broken.
Race Details and Aftermath
Gold Dancer was the 100-30 joint-favourite. The horse was owned by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud. Miami Magic and Jordans Cross both fell but returned safely.
The prize money for winning the race was £67,524. The Jockey Club claims to continuously minimize risks at its events.
