Grand national retains its status as sport's biggest show

The Grand National's enduring relevance to horse racing's global audience is a testament to the iconic status of the Aintree spectacle.

Numbers tell the story of a changing national

The trend of steadily decreasing fallers and fatalities at the National, now in its 187th running, is a significant evolution in the sport's approach to welfare and safety.

From 2014 to 2025, the total number of fallers has dropped consistently, with the lowest and third-lowest figures this century posted in the last two runnings of the latest fence design.

While the National still carries an inherent risk, the efforts of the British Horseracing Authority and Aintree to minimize harm through changes to the course and conditions have been largely successful.

This year's event comes amid growing debate around the morality of horse racing, with animal welfare groups using the National as a platform to push for a ban on the sport altogether.

However, the numbers suggest that public interest remains strong, with TV audiences and betting turnover figures defying claims of decline.

As the sport prepares to head to Liverpool, the tragedy of Celebre D'Allen's death serves as a poignant reminder that while risk is inherent, the consequences of every incident are amplified at the National.