- Micheal Nolan rode Celebre D’Allen in Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree
- The horse appeared to be struggling long before jockey Nolan pulled him up
- Nolan has been handed a 10-day ban by the British Horseracing Authority
Jockey Micheal Nolan has been handed a 10-day ban following his ride on Celebre D’Allen in the 2025 Grand National, after the 13-year-old gelding collapsed on the course shortly after being pulled up.
Celebre D’Allen, a 125/1 outsider trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, had travelled well early on but began to weaken noticeably in the latter stages. Despite appearing to be in difficulty after the second-last fence, Nolan continued to ride before finally pulling up after jumping the last.
Moments later, the horse collapsed on the track, prompting immediate veterinary attention. He was later able to walk into a horse ambulance and was taken for further assessment.
A stewards’ enquiry was held following the race, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirming that Nolan had breached riding rules by continuing on a horse that was clearly struggling.
The stewards’ report stated: ‘An enquiry was held to consider whether Micheal Nolan, the rider of CELEBRE D’ALLEN (FR), had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence. The rider and the Veterinary Officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. The rider was suspended for 10 days.’
Further updates on Saturday evening from The Sun’s Matt Chapman revealed that Celebre D’Allen had suffered heatstroke and would remain at Aintree overnight for monitoring.
There was controversy in the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday afternoon
Celebre D’Allen, pictured late last year, collapsed on Saturday shortly after being pulled up
Jockey Micheal Nolan, pictured at Taunton last month, has since been suspended for 10 days
‘Celebre d’Allen had heatstroke. Staying at course tonight. Should be fine,’ Chapman explained.
Chapman also provided the latest on Broadway Boy, who fell heavily at the 25th fence. The seven-year-old was treated on course before being transported by horse ambulance.
‘Vets happy. Monitoring for next 24 hours. But again very hopeful he will be okay,’ Chapman wrote, adding that connections were being cautious: ‘Loath to say anything quite yet just in case.’
The incidents came during a historic edition of the Grand National, which saw Willie Mullins become the first trainer in the modern era to saddle a 1-2-3 finish in the famous race.
His son Patrick Mullins rode 33/1 shot Nick Rockett to victory, narrowly beating stablemates I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West. Meetingofthewaters (5th) and Minella Cocooner (7th) also placed in the top 10.
Visibly emotional after the race, Mullins said: ‘That is the achievement of a lifetime. When I saw Patrick get alongside the rail on the run-in, I just lost it.’
All jockeys returned safely, and racing at Aintree resumed after a short delay. The BHA confirmed both injured horses received ‘immediate and extensive treatment’, and will continue to be monitored.
