Galashiels' Ryan Mania's horse Hill Sixteen dies in Grand National

Ryan Mania won the Grand National ten years ago on Aurora’s Encore. Credit: PA Images

Jockey Ryan Mania's horse has died during the Grand National 2023 at Aintree Racecourse.

Hill Sixteen fell during the opening stages of the race and suffered fatal injuries. The 10-year-old was trained by Sandy Thomson and ridden by Ryan Mania, both from Galashiels.

For Ryan Mania, this was a decade after he claimed an unlikely win there on 66/1 shot Aurora’s Encore in 2013.

He retired from horse racing in 2014 saying he “no longer got a kick out of winning” and citing issues in maintaining his riding weight as another main reason, but returned five years later.

Following the death of Hill Sixteen, the League Against Cruel Sports called for greater safety measures to be introduced at Aintree and other racecourses across the country.

Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The death of Hill Sixteen today at today’s Randox Grand National reflects its shocking safety record – 16 horses have now died in the race since the year 2000.

“It cannot be more apparent that it is time for change and for the introduction of tighter safety measures in the Grand National, at the Aintree racecourse and at racecourses across the UK."

Dickon White, who runs Aintree Racecourse as North-West regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “Hill Sixteen was immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals during the Grand National, but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”