A horse has died at the Grand National Festival on Ladies Day.
Giovinco died during the 1.45pm Midway Novice Chase at Aintree while being ridden by Stephen Mulqueen.
Racing TV announced the news by saying: "We are sorry to announce the sad passing of Giovinco.
"Our thoughts go out to Lucinda Russell & connections."
Heartbreaking news ♥️
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 12, 2024
We are sorry to announce the sad passing of Giovinco. Our thoughts go out to Lucinda Russell & connections pic.twitter.com/0aPC1jH5VS
Fans on X have already paid tribute to Giovinco, who died after falling at the final fence of the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday afternoon.
"Our thoughts are with you all @LucindaRacing. We know how devastated you’ll all be," said one user.
A second said: "Gutted. Condolences to the connections. Such a great character who had a huge future in front of him.
A third stated: "That's desperate news, so sorry to hear, thoughts are with everyone involved."
Another said: "Such a shame."
And a fifth said: "That’s sad news fs. Rest in Peace Giovinco."
Giovinco's death comes after the Jockey Club implemented big changes in order to protect the welfare of raceshorses and jockeys alike.
Back in February, a statement was released saying: "We leave no stone unturned in providing world-class standards of welfare for our participants and undertake a review after every Randox Grand National.
"These reviews look at a wide range of factors and the learnings from the process drive a number of changes, large and small, annually.
"In October we announced that one of the changes being made from 2024 would involve bringing forward the start time of the race, which has been 5.15pm since 2016.
"This was a decision we took after a number of participants and other racing stakeholders raised concerns about the long build-up to the race throughout the day and heightened tension as a result.
"These were not issues which had been identified as a problem when the race was previously staged at 3.45pm and 4.15pm.
"Bringing forward the start time of the Randox Grand National by 75 minutes to 4pm will also help us to maintain optimal jumping ground, as warm or breezy conditions can dry out the racing surface.
“We would like to thank both our broadcast partner ITV and the British Horseracing Authority for their assistance in helping to bring about this change to a race which remains a British institution, loved and watched by millions of people all over the world every year.”
On-course vets rushed immediately to the scene after Giovinco's fall.
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Giovinco died on Ladies Day ahead of Saturday's Grand National
GETTY
Screens were placed around the gelding as Giovinco ceived treatment.
Prior to the incident, Giovinco had gone to Aintree with a positive chance after finishing third in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Giovinco had also won over a shorter distance in a two-horse race back in February.
Earlier in the year, Lucinda Russell praised the horse and tipped him for a bright future.
"He's by Walk In The Park and he is just a fabulous horse. He is a bit edgy, but I think a lot of the Walk In The Parks are," she said at the time.
Giovinco died during the 1.45pm Midway Novice Chase at Aintree on Friday
GETTY
"He cruised through his novice hurdle year and was unbeaten including a Listed race at Perth at the end of the season.
“This year we’ve gone novice chasing and we’re absolutely delighted with him. He is going to go to Cheltenham. We’re still unsure as to which race, he is going to go for - whether he goes for the three miles (Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase) or two and a half miles (Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase).
"We are probably leaning towards the three miles, but we will see as he’s also in a handicap (Ultima Handicap Chase).
"He is perfect, the owners haven’t even had him for two years yet and already he is looking at a Festival.
"He’s a horse that has won plenty and deserves his place there."
