Grand National jockey suspended after riding injured horse during historic I Am Maximus win
Jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell has been suspended following a decision he made ahead of his horse falling in the the Grand National.
I am Maximus made history during this year's Grand National as he became the first horse since 1977 to win the race for the second time.
Sadly, two horses lost their lives during the course of the three-day Grand National Festival, as Get On George was put down after pulling up in Saturday's second race while Gold Dancer suffered a fatal injury while winning Friday's William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase.
During The Grand National itself, three of the 34 horses racing sustained injuries, including the 10-year-old Top Of The Bill, raced by jockey McCain-Mitchell.
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Top Of The Bill fell at the final fence of the race and remained on the ground briefly before being walked back in and assessed by veterinarians on site.
But now, following a post-race inquiry, it has been confirmed that McCain-Mitchell has received a 10-day ban for failing to pull up the horse after it was clear that it had fallen far behind in the race.
A statement from the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) confirmed: "An enquiry was held to consider whether Toby McCain-Mitchell, the rider of TOP OF THE BILL (IRE), who fell at the last fence, should have pulled the gelding up, having been in a prominent position before weakening rapidly.
"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."
Top Of The Bill, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and Willy Twiston-Davies, was McCain-Mitchell’s first ride in the most famous horse race in the world.
Quai De Bourbon and Mr Vango were also injured during The Grand National, with the former falling at the second fence of the four-and-a-quarter-mile race, while the latter fell at the sixth.
In an update on the condition of all three horses on Saturday evening (11 April), a statement from the track read: "Top of The Bill fell at the final fence and was assessed on course.
"He was walked back to the stables, where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He is expected to travel home this evening.
"Mr Vango walked onto the horse ambulance following his fall at the sixth fence, having been assessed, and returned to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He has travelled to Leahurst Equine Hospital for further tests.
"Quai De Bourbon walked onto the horse ambulance, having been assessed, following his fall at the second fence. He underwent further expert veterinary assessment in the stables and will return home overnight."
Topics: Horse Racing
Ben McCrum