1998 Grand National Report Completed

Published: 14 July 1998

The Jockey Club has completed its report into the three fatalities in the 1998 Grand National at Aintree. On Monday 13th July the Stewards of the Jockey Club endorsed the findings of the report and approved the recommendations.

The report’s Executive Summary is attached.

Tony Goodhew, the Jockey Club’s Director of Racecourse Services, said: “We have addressed all the relevant factors and areas that were perceived as being a possible cause for concern. These included the going, the speed and number of runners and the ability of the horses. We consulted individual jockeys and trainers, as well as their associations, the RSPCA and the ILPH, both during the compilation of the report and to get their response to the report’s recommendations.

“We concluded that the three fatalities were accidents, but as racing’s regulators the Jockey Club has a duty to ensure that the race is as safe and as fair as is possible. We believe that there are some measures that can be taken which will further reduce the risks for what is a unique but fair test. The public must be confident that no effort is spared in the area of safety and welfare of horses and riders.”

Notes for Editors:

The following organisations were consulted during the compilation of the report:

RSPCA – Contact: Bernard Donigan, Equine Consultant and Jim Philipps, Chief Veterinary Officer

ILPH – Contact: Dr Douglas Munro, Director of International League for Protection of Horses

National Trainers’ Federation – Contact: Toby Balding, Chairman of NTF National Hunt Committee and Grant Harris, General Manager

Jockeys Association of Great Britain – Contact: Richard Dunwoody, Joint President of JAGB and Michael Caulfield, Secretary

Aintree Racecourse Management – Contact: Charles Barnett, Managing Director & Clerk of the Course

Plus the Stewards of the Meeting, the Jockey Club’s Racecourse Inspectorate and Chief Veterinary Adviser, Dr Peter Webbon.