Grand National jockey banned after tragic horse death deletes social media amid backlash

Michael Nolan who was banned for the way he rode Celebre D'Allen in the Grand National has deleted his social media accounts after the horse tragically died. The 13-year-old horse was pulled up after the last fence.

The gelding , requiring veterinary attention. Nolan by the British Horseracing Authority for breaching rules by continuing on a horse that was clearly struggling.

Celebre D'Allen was the eldest horse in the race and had been rated as a 125/1 outsider. The National is run over an official distance of about seven kilometres, with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps.

Following the race and the horse's collapse, the stewards launched an inquiry. Nolan and the Veterinary Officer were both interviewed, before the jockey was slapped with the ban.

It that Celebre D'Allen's condition had deteriorated in the days following the National and had sadly died. In the wake of that announcement, Nolan received a torrent of abuse.

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Nolan's accounts on and were subsequently deleted. Animal rights groups also took aim at Nolan for his actions during Sunday's race.

"It is absolutely abhorrent that after racing until he had 'no more to give' in the Grand National, Celebre D'Allen has died," Animal Aid's director Iain Green wrote in a statement. "The jockey riding him to the point of collapse received a pitiful 10-day suspension.

"To allow a horse of this age to race in the most punishing and notoriously dangerous race on record is nothing short of criminal, and the responsibility for this falls with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Horse running for their lives is not sport, it is blatant and disturbing animal abuse."

Celebre D'Allen had started well in the Grand National but appeared to be in difficulty after the second-last fence. Nolan continued to ride before finally pulling up after jumping the last. The gelding was later able to walk into a horse ambulance and was taken for further assessment.

Following the horse's death, the BHA's acting chief executive Brant Dunshea wrote: "All of us at the BHA are saddened to learn of the death of Celebre D’Allen following Saturday’s Randox Grand National.

"It has been clear to see since Saturday afternoon just how much the horse meant to his connections and we send our condolences to them today. Celebre D’Allen received treatment from the team of expert vets after pulling up and then collapsing towards the end of the race.

"The BHA and Aintree racecourse will analyse the race and this incident in detail, as is the case every year and with every fatal injury in any race. This will include the horse being sent for post-mortem. Prior to Saturday’s race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 National."