Posted on the 14th April 2025
Just a week after the Aintree Grand National claimed the life of Celebre d’Allen, the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, has seen two 7-year-old horses, The Kniphand and Macdermott, lose their lives. Persian Time has died after a falling in Friday's Handicap Chase and Valgrand died after racing in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.
In the Scottish Grand National Race, The Kniphand looked to break his neck in a fall at the second last fence – which comes a week after his stablemate Broadway Boy took an horrendous fall at Aintree – whilst Macdermott looked to collapse and die midway through the race.
Only eight of the 23 horses in the race were able to finish in the gruelling 4 mile chase.
Says Dene Stansall, Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant:
‘The scenes at Ayr Racecourse this afternoon were as shocking as the Aintree Grand National a week ago. Racing has to be answerable for horse deaths and it is escaping its responsibility and sanction for blatant  animal abuse. This has to be challenged and challenged hard. Animal Aid will pursue the racing industry until an end to jump racing is achieved.’
Dene Stansall
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