Royal Tan's National (1954)

[@TheGiantKillers]

Such a heavy death toll in the race hadn't been seen since 1849 and raised questions in the house of commons. I was fortunate enough many years ago to meet Ossie Dale, who worked at the course for many years and the memory of being in the stable yard after the crowds had gone home haunted him. The four horses had been brought back to the yard and were laid together. Dale recalled just crumpling on the sight of them and sobbing uncontrollably. Certainly, if such a toll were ever to happen again in the Grand National, the future of the race would be in serious doubt.

[@ianbennett1491]

No chance of that happening now. Fences are so easy these days.