By Andrew Atkinson
Emma Lavelle trained Eclair Surf has died following sustaining a serious head injury after falling in the Randox Aintree Grand National on April 9.
“We are very sad to report that having sustained a traumatic head injury in the Grand National, Eclair Surf lost his fight on Sunday morning,” said Lavelle.
“He was an incredibly special horse, loved by everyone and he will be terribly missed by everyone,” added Lavelle.
Eclair Surf was the second Equine fatality of the 2022 Aintree Grand National, following Discorama sustaining a fatal injury.
Ashroe Diamond colic
Willie Mullins trained Ashroe Diamond underwent an emergency operation after suffering from colic, having won at Aintree on April 7.
Mullins’ travelling head lad Brendan Kelly arranged for Ashroe Diamond be taken to Leahurst Equine Hospital with a police escort for an operation, after a bout of colic 24 hours after the race.
“Brendan Kenny, travelling head lad for Willie Mullins, spotted she was showing signs of colic and Merseyside Police gave her an escort to Leahurst Equine Hospital where she was operated on overnight.
“She’s comfortable and hopefully she’ll continue to progress, but without Brendan things could have been a lot worse.
“We were absolutely delighted with Ashroe Diamond, but no amount of trophies will ever be more important than the mare and I’ll travel back over to Liverpool to bring her home myself.
“She’ll recuperate at home here and that will be it for the end of the campaign before she goes jumping hurdles with Willie next season,” said James Fenton, racing manager for the Blue Blood Racing Club.
Caption: Eclair Surf: Incredibly special horse, loved by everyone will be terribly missed.
