Gold Dancer died at Aintree on Friday. He was not the first. He will not be the last.
The RSPCA confirmed he was the 42nd horse to die in UK racing in 2026. It is only April.
Since the year 2000, 68 horses have died at Aintree alone. PETA responded by calling the Grand National Festival the Grand Massacre. Animal Aid said the words that landed hardest: Everyone who bought a ticket, placed a bet or watched the ITV coverage paid for this horse to die.
The BHA pointed to a falling fatal injury rate of 0.22 percent in 2025. Animal welfare groups said that number still represents hundreds of horses dying every year for entertainment.
Gold Dancer won £67,524. He was dead within minutes of crossing the line. The Grand National ran the following day.
Children recruited into this illegal and brutal business.
I got this video from @PawsofChina a couple of years ago. They were in Yulin, Guangxi, China, on a rescue mission then. You can follow the stories of dogs rescued from Yulin on their page. And if able, consider helping!