The horse racing world was stunned to learn of the death of a star horse that had collapsed after a race.

According to the BBC, Grand National runner Celebre d'Allen, a 13-year-old horse and the oldest of the 34 horses running the race, died after collapsing on the track.

The gelding was treated on the field after being taken off the track. He was hauled away in a horse ambulance and was taken back to the stables for emergency treatment.

The horse initially showed signs of recovery but later took a devastating turn, as trainers described it as the horse's condition significantly deteriorated.

Jockey in trouble

Notably, the jockey who was riding the horse was disciplined after the event, as he was suspended for 10 days given his role in the horse's condition.

The BBC noted:

Jockey Micheal Nolan, Celebre d'Allen's rider, was handed a 10-day suspension on Saturday after Aintree stewards ruled he had "continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence".

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said that Nolan would not face any more punishments following the tragic situation.

"To place blame entirely on the jockey is speculative and subjective in terms of being able to prove that," said BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea.

So the poor horse ridden with “no more to give” Celebre D’Allen has died and for what?
Jockey Michael Nolan suspended for a paltry 10 days should hang his head in shame,despicable piece of shit
If he’d done nothing wrong why have the Jockey Club suspended him makes me so angry pic.twitter.com/EN8fDY4SdO

— Kell (@Kelltheblue) April 8, 2025

The BBC added:

On Tuesday, it was also announced that Mullins has been given an eight-day ban after his ride was referred to the Whip Review Committee.

The amateur jockey, 35, breached the whip rules during the race, using his whip eight times after the final fence when the limit in jump racing is seven.

Social media reaction

Horse racing fans across social media weighed in on the controversial and saddening situation.

"Ban him for life- what owner would want someone like him riding their precious horse," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "You do realise he was the stable jockey of the trainer and has ridden that horse countless amounts of times…. There will be no one more upset than the jockey right now. They have a bond they care about that horse more than you ever will!"

The horse will reportedly be sent for a post-mortem investigation, according to the BHA.