A Grand National jockey has been banned after forcing his tired horse to continue in the showpiece race – before it fell at the final fence.
Toby McCain-Mitchell, 24, is banned for 10 days after failing to pull up his horse Top Of The Bill, who required veterinary treatment after his fall.
McCain-Mitchell is the grandson of legendary jockey Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum, the only horse who has won the Grand National three times.
This was his debut in the famous Aintree race and he carried a lock of Red Rum’s hair in his gloves as a lucky charm.
But his horse made an error at the 25th obstacle, Valentine, and quickly fell back through the field – an indication that something was wrong. But the duo continued, only for the horse to fall at the final fence.
Aintree’s stewards said in a report: ‘The rider and the Veterinary Officer were interviewed and recordings of the incident were viewed. Having considered the evidence, McCain-Mitchell was suspended for 10 days for failing to pull up when the horse had tailed off.’
A jockey has been banned after making his horse ride on in the Grand National, only for it to fall
Toby McCain-Mitchell has been slapped with a 10-day ban after riding Top Of The Bill
Two other horses, Quai De Bourbon and Mr Vango, were also taken back to the stables by horse ambulances to be assessed.
It comes after Paul Townend, one of the sport’s leading jockeys, faced significant criticism for continuing to ride a horse called Gold Dancer after injury, with the six-year-old going on to die.
Gold Dancer was competing in the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase when he fell at the final hurdle, appearing to badly injure his back.
But Townend whipped him and Gold Dancer limped on to win the race, claiming £67,524 in prize money.
At the end, Townend got off immediately and vets rushed over before putting up a screen.
After medical checks, Gold Dancer was put down. Townend insisted that the horse felt sound and continued running fine.
On Saturday, Get on George became the second casualty of this year’s festival at Aintree.
The six-year-old gelding was put down on the course breaking a joint in his rear left leg during the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.
A total of 69 horses have now died at the Grand National Festival since 2000.
