- 66-1 Broadway Boy had been leading the Grand National for most of the race
- However, at the 25th furlong, the horse took a distressing fall, sparking concern
Broadway Boy has returned to the stables for further assessment after he suffered a distressing fall during the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, which sparked concern among fans.
The 66/1 horse had led for most of the race but took a worrying tumble at the 25th furlong and cameras immediately cut away from the troubling scene.
It had been jumping well previously and was ahead of the field, but as Broadway Boy tumbled, the horse appeared to fall upright on his front legs before his head appeared to crash into the ground.
Tom Bellamy, who was Broadway Boy’s jockey, was unseated and later taken to hospital, with fans left upset by what they had seen.
However, just more than an hour after the race, an update was provided on Broadway Boy after he was treated on course by vets.
It was revealed the horse had then walked onto a horse ambulance before returning to the stables for further assessment.
Broadway Boy suffered a distressing fall during the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday
WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT
The 66-1 horse (pictured right) was leading the iconic race heading into the 25th furlong
But Broadway Boy took a distressing fall sparking major concern among viewers of the race
The horse (right) appeared to land on its head as his jockey Tom Bellamy was unseated
Broadway Boy’s fall had left several fans upset as they took to social media to express their concern.
‘Sat breaking my heart over that fall from Broadway Boy,’ one emotional viewer posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Another added: ‘How can people watch and enjoy horse racing, that fall from ‘Broadway Boy’ was actually sickening.’
An extra viewer posted: ‘That has made me feel sick to the stomach after seeing Broadway Boy going down like that poor horse.’
A further fan chimed in with: ‘No one gives a s*** who won, we want to know how this beautiful horse is after his horrific fall ITV!!! Ffs’
The condition of Broadway Boy continued to be a major talking point following the race as others piled in on the incident on social media.
One said: ‘People crying about their ‘luck’ cus they didn’t win a <£10 bet that they’d put on Broadway Boy is just wild. Poor f***er is likely dead and people bemoaning a few quid for the likely place finish it woulda had.’
Another added: ‘Sod the winner… poor BroadwayBoy #grandnational2025.’
Viewers quickly took to social media to express concern for the welfare of Broadway Boy
An extra concerned viewer chimed in with: ‘All I want is to know if Broadway Boy is ok.’
The National had started positively for Broadway Boy, who is owned by Nigel Twiston-Davies, and he was soon ahead of the rest of the field until his fall.
ITV were criticised for not mentioning the fall for the remainder or in the immediate aftermath of the race with of the coverage centred around the winning horse, Nick Rockett, and the triumphant father-son duo of owner Willie Mullins and jockey Patrick Mullin.
However, they did then provide an update at around 4.40PM.
ITV racing presenter Ed Chamberlin revealed that Broadway Boy and Celebre d’Allen were both being assessed on the course by expert veterinary teams – and pledged to give more updates when they follow.
Meanwhile, animal-welfare charity Animal Aid released a statement expressing their concern for Broadway Boy.
‘Animal Aid are disgusted and appalled that Broadway Boy suffered a horrific fall in the Grand National Race, and that the racing industry – rather than give the public an update on his wellbeing – had the gall to spout empty rhetoric about the ‘welfare’ of race horses.
‘The lack of information provided about the welfare of these horses is despicable and demonstrates the sheer lack of care the industry has towards these horses. This is ‘welfare-washing’, at its most insidious.’
It was later revealed Celebre d’Allen was seen walking into the horse ambulance before and that there was a stewards inquiry underway over the riding of him.
