Auroras Encore Dies at 23 After 2013 Grand National Win — The Grand National
Auroras Encore, the 2013 Grand National winner at Aintree, has died at the age of 23. The surprise 66-1 scorer closed a racing story that included eight wins, over £725,000 in prize-money for trainer Sue Smith and a place in Grand National history.
Ryan Mania and Aintree
Ryan Mania rode Auroras Encore in the grand national and called the win a monumental success. He said, "It was one of those very unexpected things in life, a monumental success for me and the horse."
Mania added, "It was life-changing for me as it opened a lot of doors and gave me opportunities I hadn't had before." He also said, "Whatever happens, my name is always going to be there."
Sue Smith Racing tribute
Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith Racing shared a tribute on Facebook on May 8, writing, "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our 2013 Grand National winner, Auroras Encore, at the age of 23." They also said, "After his racing days were over, he spent his retirement here with us on the farm, enjoying the peaceful life he deserved."
The tribute added, "He was a much-loved horse with a kind nature and a big personality, and he remained part of the family right until the very end." That retirement story gives the result a sharper edge: the horse who shocked Aintree in 2013 stayed close to the stable long after his racing days ended a year after his victory.
Aintree before the National
Auroras Encore had already shown a taste for Aintree in 2008, when he won a handicap hurdle there at 50-1. He also finished second in the Scottish National, with Sue Lockwood recalling, "He was second to Merrigo in the Scottish national year before he won the national what an absolute pleasure he has been."
He was ridden in the colours of Jim Beaumont, David Van Der Hoeven and Douglas Pryde, and his record now stands as a short but high-return career: eight wins, a major National shock at 66-1 and a prize-money total of over £725,000. For the owners, trainer and rider, the numbers trace a horse who kept producing at the track that mattered most.
