Gold Dancer’s high-profile fatal injury at the Grand National Meeting could be a catalyst for new regulations aimed at reducing risk to horses, while strengthening racing’s social licence. Ultimately, the sport faces a clear imperative: it must demonstrate that it can effectively self-regulate to protect horses, or risk losing the social licence on which it depends.

The death of Cheltenham favourite Envoi Allen following this year's Gold Cup has renewed discussion about sudden cardiac events in racing horses. As the industry searches for answers, new technologies and research initiatives are beginning to reshape how these rare but devastating incidents are studied and prevented.