Get On George euthanised after injury during race
A six-year-old racehorse named Get On George was humanely put down this afternoon after sustaining a fatal injury during the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Aintree, reports BritPanorama.
The gelding, trained by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith, was unable to continue after losing his action around a bend in the race on the final day of the Grand National Festival.
Jockey Jack Tudor quickly dismounted on course, where veterinary staff assessed Get On George before determining that euthanasia was the most appropriate course of action for the horse’s welfare.
This incident marks the second equine death at this year’s festival, following the passing of Gold Dancer on Friday after the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
ITV presenter Ed Chamberlin interrupted his broadcast to share the unfortunate news, extending sympathies to those connected with the horse. “Aintree say he was assessed on course by their expert veterinary team and it was decided the best course of action for the horse’s welfare was for him to be put down,” Chamberlin stated during the coverage.
The broadcaster also conveyed condolences to the Parkinson and Smith families, noting that Sue Smith was also an owner of Get On George. Chamberlin paid particular attention to groom Paul Riley, recognizing the personal loss felt by those who cared for the horse daily.
Animal Aid’s Campaign Manager on Horse Racing, Isobel McNally, condemned the incident as avoidable, calling for the abolition of the sport. “Every year we are amongst multiple groups who warn that events like this will result in death,” McNally stated, pointing out the responsibility of jockeys, trainers, and owners.
The RSPCA labelled the loss as “incredibly sad,” highlighting that Get On George’s death represents the 43rd horse racing fatality in Britain this year alone, with 26 horses having perished at the Grand National Festival over the past decade. While improvements have been made to safety measures at Aintree, the RSPCA stressed that recent fatalities indicate these measures are insufficient to protect horses adequately.
In response to growing concerns, the Jockey Club has implemented various changes, including stricter qualification criteria, enhanced veterinary checks, and a reduction in the Grand National field size from 40 to 34 runners.
The tragic fate of Get On George reinforces ongoing debates surrounding the safety and ethics of horse racing, leaving many to ponder the future of the sport and the wellbeing of the equine athletes involved.
