Grand National-winning jockey Patrick Mullins has received an eight day whip ban. The amateur secured his greatest victory in the saddle when he steered 33-1 chance Nick Rockett to victory in the £1 million Randox Grand National at Aintree.
He helped secure an unprecedented 1-2-3 for his father Willie Mullins who also trained the second I Am Maximus and the third-placed horse Grangeclare West, while also being responsible for five of the first seven. Mullins, 35, was referred to the BHA’s Whip Review Committee after riding Nick Rockett to a two and a half length victory from 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus.
He was found to have used his whip once above the permitted level of seven from after the final fence. Had he exceeded the limit by four or more Nick Rockett would have risked disqualification.
The committee, which met on Tuesday, took into account that this was a Class 1 race, so the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled.
He was suspended for eight days as on Wednesday 23 and Friday 25 April, Friday 02, Wednesday 07, Saturday 10, Wednesday 14, Friday 16 and Tuesday 20 May 2025.
Michael Nolan was another Grand National jockey to be hit with a suspension in the aftermath of Saturday’s race. Nolan was aboard Celebre D’Allen who collapsed in the latter stages of the race.
And following an enquiry, Nolan was banned for 10 days for what was deemed as continuing to ride the horse when it had nothing left to give. A statement from the British Horseracing Authority on Saturday evening read: “An enquiry was held to consider whether Micheal Nolan, the rider of Celebre D’Allen, had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence.”
Celebre D’Allen received treatment on course and returned to the stables only to tragically die in news confirmed on Tuesday morning.
“We’re heartbroken to share that Celebre D’Allen has passed away,” the stable announced on its X account. “He received the very best treatment by the veterinary teams and was improving. However, he deteriorated significantly last night and could not be saved. He was a wonderful horse and we will all miss him greatly.”
Mullins was one of a number of amateurs to transgress with the whip at Aintree, resulting in bans. Huw Edwards received a seven day ban for his winning ride on Gracchus De Balme in the Foxhunters, while Ellie Callwood picked up a 14 day suspension and Charlie Mullins received four days.
Alan Johns, who announced he was retiring from the saddle after taking his final rides at Ffos Las on Sunday, also breached the rules.
Although he bowed out with victory on Bumpy Evans, his last ride of the day, he exceeded the whip strike limit by two and was suspended for seven days. The dates he would sit out are April 22 to 26 and May 3 to 5, a sentence he is not going to have to serve.
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