Celebre D'Allen Grand National Death redoubles calls for new regulator

Celebre D’Allen Grand National death redoubles calls for new horse racing regulator

Press release, for immediate release

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

The horrific death of Celebre D’Allen, two days after he was raced in the Grand National, has led to national animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports repeating its calls for a new, independent horse racing regulator with “animal welfare as its number one priority”.

The League has called for the new body to replace the British Horse Racing Authority and for an immediate ban on the whip.

Celebre D’Allen’s died two days after being pulled up after the final fence; his jockey Jonny Allen having ridden him even after it became clear the gelding was struggling. Allen was given a 10-day ban from riding after Saturday’s race, prior to Celebre D’Allen’s death on Monday evening.

His death follows Willy De Houelle, who died racing on the first day of the Aintree Festival.

A boycott of the Aintree Festival was called for by the League before it began, in protest at the number of horses that die during the event.

Figures compiled by Animal Aid show 17 horses have now died racing the Grand National since the turn of the century with 67 horses having died at the Aintree Festival over the same period since 2000.

Emma Slawinski, League’s chief executive, said: “Celebre D’Allen’s death was devastating, and yet another fatality during the Grand National shows that the race is too long and too punishing and that we need a new horse racing regulator which has animal welfare as it number one priority.

“We need to replace the BHRA, make immediate moves to ban the use of the whip and stop sacrificing horses for entertainment and the profits of the gambling industry.”

The most recent Cheltenham Festival, which saw two horses die while racing, recorded a 4.9 per cent attendance slump compared to 2024. Attendance has now fallen 22 per cent since 2022.

Emma added: “The public is becoming increasingly appalled at the number of horses that are being raced to their deaths during the Grand National.

“It’s time for change and for the welfare of horses to take centre stage when decisions are being made about safety measures in the horse racing world.”

Ends

Notes to editors

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 07496 496454 (24hrs) or email pressoffice@league.org.uk

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).