Campaigners accuse racing industry of ‘spouting empty rhetoric’ about welfare after horses injured in dramatic race

Animal rights organisations have criticised the Grand National after a horse that was leading the race suffered a grim fall, while a second collapsed shortly after the competition.

Broadway Boy, a seven-year-old horse ridden by Tom Bellamy, took what was described by spectators as a “sickening fall” at the 25th jump, appearing to land on his head and not moving immediately afterwards.