Horse death tally from 2025 Scottish Grand National heartbreakingly doubles as Ayr showpiece suffers more tragedy

Four horses that ran at Scottish Grand National last weekend have now been killed.

Willie Mullins trained-horse Macdermott - a 16/1 winner at the Ayr festival 12 months ago - tragically passed after suffering a heart attack on his way round the second circuit in the Saturday's marquee race.

The horse - ridden by Mullins nephew Danny - was attended to by veterinary staff after pulling up just past the stands but was unfortunately able to be saved.

The Kniphand, a 9/1 shot trained by Nigel-Twiston-Davies also sadly died after suffering a fatal fall in Saturday's big race.

And it has now been confirmed that two more horses that ran during the three-day event in Ayr have sadly passed.

Nicky Henderson's Persian Time has died after a fall in Friday's Handicap Chase while Valgand - trained by Dan Skelton - has also died as a result of his injuries.

The horse was rushed away in an ambulance after a heavy fall in the Scottish Champion Hurdle race on Saturday but had to be put down after suffering a critical neck injury that could not be treated.

The tragic deaths have overshadowed what was a dream festival for Irish trainer Mullins, with only eight of the 23 horses that began the race staying the length of the course.

The horse racing legend won the Scottish National with 9/1 shot Captain Cody - ridden by Harry Cobden - taking home the £200,000 prize.

Mullins also had the runner-up in the race, with Captain Cody's stablemate Klarc Kent, 14/1 following in close behind.

Two other horses - Surrey Quest and Sail Away - fell at the first fence while jockeys Jonjo O'Neill and Harry Atkins both had to be treated by medical staff after falling off their respective mounts, Hasthing and Snipe also came down.

In the same race, well-backed