ONE OF Gordon Elliott’s star horses suffered what Davy Russell has described as a ‘nasty cut’ due to the actions of Animal Rising protesters.
Saturday’s edition of the world’s most renowned steeplechase proved to be one of the most dramatic in its storied history – but not for the race itself.
It was delayed for just over 15 minutes due to animal rights protesters gaining access to the track.
Ultimately, 118 arrests were made as police eventually cleared the course.
However, it has been claimed by some trainers that the chaos caused spooked many of the horses.
Sadly, Hill Sixteen died from injuries sustained after falling at the first.
It was very noticeable how a bizarrely high number of eight runners either fell or unseated their rider at that opening hurdle.
Another to come unstuck was Elliott’s Galvin.
It meant there was to be no storybook ending for Davy Russell in the final race of his legendary career.
And while okay, as Galvin made his way back to stables, he is believed to have trod on a stepladder left behind by one of the protesters.
Russell confirmed as much while speaking to Racing TV.
Host Nick Luck initially stated: “We believe that your horse Galvin has actually cantered off into an area where some ladders were left and has actually cut himself on one of those ladders.”
To which, the Corkonian replied: “Yeah, and that’s the other side of it with horses, everything has to be secure.
“They need to be in an area where they can’t do any harm to themselves and that area was tainted.
“He got a nasty cut…he had a nasty cut on him but hopefully the vets will sort him out.”
CURTAIN DOWN
The three-time Irish champion jockey confirmed that he had escaped harm during his fall while also re-iterating that this second retirement will stick.
He added: “Yes, this is it. It didn’t feel right leaving it the way we did at Cheltenham – but I’m happy now.”
Aintree offered Russell a chance for the perfect goodbye that he hadn’t been afforded at Cheltenham.
The 43-year-old had put a pause on his retirement to join up with Elliott after Jack Kennedy broke his leg in January.
However, a miserable time at the Festival was capped off by the him pulling out of the Gold Cup.
In his place, Sam Ewing rode Conflated to third place, behind champion Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame.
Russell seemed prepared to leave the sport behind after that, but for Elliott to convince him to hold on until after Aintree, so that he could have one last chance at a grand farewell.
On Friday, he rode Gerri Colombe to victory by seven-and-a-half lengths in the Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase, following that with victory in Saturday’s Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.