How many horses have died at the Grand National? – Since the first Grand National in 1839, 89 horses have died during the Aintree meeting. Around 41 of those deaths took place between 2000 and 2012. Around 41 deaths took place between 2000 and 2012 (Picture: Getty) According to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), steeplechasing events have an average of 4 deaths per 1,000 horses taking part, although this average is higher at Aintree. The grisly demise of both Brown Trix and Seeandem at the infamous Becher’s Brook fence in 1989 led to changes at the racecourse. The falls at Becher’s Brook in 1989 were particularly shocking. (Picture: Getty) On March 12, 1862, O’Connell’s rider Joseph Wynne suffered fatal injuries when another horse, Playmate, caused a pile up when it fell at the Chair – a formidable obstacle at a height of 5’3″ and preceded by a 6′ open ditch.
Contents
How many horses died in Grand National?
How many horses have died at the Grand National in total? – The League Against Cruel Sports says 16 horses have been killed at the Grand National since 2000. Around 90 horses have died since the first Grand National in 1839. Four horses, Eclair Surf, Discorama, Solwara One and Elle Est Belle, died at the Grand National last year.
What are the list of jockey deaths?
JOCKEYS’ GUILD SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OF THE 1950s – Presidents: Eddie Arcaro (1949-1961) Accomplishments – Sanitary conditions in the jockeys’ rooms improved, uniform apprentice rule adopted, Caliente Safety Helmet introduced, aluminum gooseneck rails first used, film patrol utilized, increased insurance benefits for jockeys.
Was a jockey injured in the Grand National?
Johnny Burke faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken arm during Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree. The Cork jockey suffered the injury after parting company with his mount Sam Brown at the 15th fence in the marathon contest. He was taken to hospital immediately after the race where it was confirmed that he had broken his lower arm.
- READ MORE: Johnny Burke suffers broken arm injury after nasty fall in the Grand National But the popular rider, who is also a keen race caller, managed to pose for a selfie in A&E with his partner Frankie Rowles on Saturday night.
- Sharing a photo with Burke on Twitter, she wrote: “Thank you for all your lovely messages about J.
A broken arm and a few scrapes to the face. Yes I was a little over-dressed for a Saturday night in A&E.” Burke’s injury comes just weeks after his father Liam became the oldest winning jockey in 100 years when he guided Teuchters Glory to victory in a bumper at Limerick.
Well wishes have been pouring in on social media for Burke since news emerged of the injury. Galway racecourse wrote: “Great news. Sending our best from the team in Galway.” Someone else added: “All the best to him, hope he makes a swift recovery.” Another comment read: “Pleased to see you’re ok Johnny.
Hope the broken arm fixes up quick and strong for you dude. Had me worried yesterday!!” READ NEXT:
Ireland striker Evan Ferguson limps off for Brighton in Chelsea clash Davy Russell lands his second Grade 1 of the week as Irish Point wins at Aintree Rhys McClenaghan wins gold for Ireland in pommel horse at European Gymnastic Championships Rhasidat Adeleke obliterates her own 200m National record Paul McGrath thanks President Michael D Higgins after meeting US President Joe Biden
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
Did any horses lose their life in the Grand National?
It is one of the world’s most iconic races and, for many people, a good excuse to dress up and put a bet on, as well as watching some exciting sporting action. However, there is a dark side to the Grand National, with many horses losing their lives at Aintree over the years.
The 2023 three-day racing festival at Aintree claimed the lives of three horses this year: Envoye Special, Dark Raven and, in the showpiece Grand National, Hill Sixteen. Last year saw four horses die over the course of the three-day festival, with two being pronounced dead following the showpiece event.
Eclair Surf and Discorama both died after running in the famous steeplechase 12 months ago, with the former suffering a traumatic head injury in a fall and the latter being euthanised after picking up an “untreatable” pelvic injury. While modern steeplechase races have an average of just over four equine fatalities for every 1,000 horses taking part, according to the British Horseracing Authority, the National’s rate is considerably higher, with seven out of 439 horses taking part between 2000 and 2010 dying as a result of their involvement.
READ MORE: What it’s like living next to Aintree on Grand National day The deaths have been condemned by animal rights groups including the RSCPA, who say that “the death of any horse is always one too many,” while animal rights activists and campaign groups have kept up their calls for stricter safety measures to be introduced within horse racing.
But how many horses have died at the Grand National, what is causing these deaths and what are authorities doing about it? Here’s everything you need to know:
What three horses died at the Grand National?
Three horses died at Aintree during the Grand National amid protests from an animal rights group at the popular event. A total of 40 horses competed for the top prize in the 175th running of the world-famous steeplechase race, Manchester Evening News reports,
The highly-anticipated race was won by Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox. Hill Sixteen died during the National, the penultimate race of the three-day racing festival which began on Thursday. It comes after two horses died previously at this year’s festival: Envoye Special and Dark Raven. The Grand National was delayed for 15 minutes after animal rights activists attempted to gain entry to the track and nine people were arrested by police,
Are you planning an event for King Charles III’s Coronation? Let us know here Protesters sought to draw attention to the dark side of the world famous race. Dozens of horses have lost their lives at Aintree over the years. Last year saw four horses die over the course of the three-day festival, with two being pronounced dead following the showpiece event.
- Eclair Surf and Discorama both died after running in the famous steeplechase 12 months ago, with the former suffering a traumatic head injury in a fall and the latter being euthanised after picking up an “untreatable” pelvic injury.
- While modern steeplechase races have an average of just over four equine fatalities for every 1,000 horses taking part, according to the British Horseracing Authority, the National’s rate is considerably higher, with seven out of 439 horses taking part between 2000 and 2010 dying as a result of their involvement.
The deaths have been condemned by animal rights groups including the RSCPA, who say that “the death of any horse is always one too many,” while animal rights activists and campaign groups have kept up their calls for stricter safety measures to be introduced within horse racing. A protestor at the Grand National (Image: Animal Rising)
Were any horses hurt in Grand National?
It is one of the world’s most iconic sporting events and watched by millions each year. But while the Grand National is an opportunity for racing fans to dress up, watch some scintillating action and maybe even win some money, there is a dark and sad side to the steeplechase, with many horses losing their lives at Aintree over the years.
- Three horses have died during the three-day racing festival this year.
- There are 13 vets on site and they were, unfortunately, called into action during the showpiece Grand National race.
- A green screen was erected around a horse named Hill Sixteen at the first fence.
- Hill Sixteen had a bad fall early and was immediately seen to by the vets, with the horses having to run around the fence where the 10-year-old was being treated.
After the race, which was won by Corach Rambler, it was confirmed that Hill Sixteen did in fact die. Two other horses in the race, Recite a Prayer and Cape Gentleman, were also injured and were assessed on the course before being taken on to the horse ambulance for further medical assessments.
- Earlier on in the day, Dark Raven fell during the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle in the third race of the day.
- That followed the death of Envoye Special, who was put down on Thursday after unseating jockey James King, running loose and falling on the Grand National course during the Foxhunters’ Chase on Thursday.
Nine-year-old Envoye Special was running for the first time at Aintree and was trained by Keiran Burke. READ MORE: What is the Grand National prize money and how much do jockeys get paid? Since the first Grand National in 1839, 89 horses have now died during the race itself, with nearly half of these deaths taking place between 2000 and 2012.
At Aintree alone, 62 horses have died since 2000. Four died last year with two of those injured in the Grand National showcase event, leading to animal rights groups calling for tighter safety measures to be put in place. Animal Aid – an animal rights organisation that campaigns against animal abuse – estimate that 3,000 horses have been killed in jump races alone since the year 2001.
Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The death of Hill Sixteen today at today’s Randox Grand National reflects its shocking safety record – 16 horses have now died in the race since the year 2000.
It cannot be more apparent that it is time for change and for the introduction of tighter safety measures in the Grand National, at the Aintree racecourse and at racecourses across the UK.” Over the past decade, British Racing has invested more than £20million into veterinary activities including research and education, according to the Echo.
READ NEXT: Grand National 2023 full results and which finishing places each-way bets pay out on Surprise proposal at Grand National has crowd applauding Which horses failed to finish the 2023 Grand National? Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.
Who is the biggest jockey ever?
3. Jack Andrews –
Country: England Height: 6ft 4in (1.93m)
The tallest professional jockey ever is 24-year-old Jack Andrews from Warwick, England. Born and raised in a horse-mad family, Andrews was devastated when he had a growth spurt late in his teenage years. At the time he believed it was the end of his potential career as a jockey.
- However, Andrews managed to carve a career for himself, taking big wins at Cheltenham and the Tolworth Hurdles.
- Andrews was also the Point-to-Point champion during the 2019/20 season.
- Https://twitter.com/CheltenhamRaces/status/1489677385557553160 Having dabbled as a professional, Andrews has since returned to amateur racing.
Currently, he works at the yard run by his sister and brother-in-law and hopes to start pointing again soon with a repeat of the championship he won back in 2019/2020 being his main goal.
How much do jockeys get paid?
Prizemoney – Jockeys also get a proportion of the prizemoney won by the horses they ride. For the most valuable races this can be very lucrative. A jockey lower down the championship tables can significantly boost his earnings with victory in, for example, the Grand National or one of the big races on the Flat.
How the riders’ prizemoney percentages are calculated is quite complicated and varies depending on the type of race. There are also differences depending on how many places prizemoney is paid in those races. As a general rule of thumb, Flat jockeys receive 8.5 per cent of the advertised win prizemoney and 2.61 per cent of the place prizemoney.
Jump jockeys generally receive around 11.03 per cent of the win fund and 3.44 per cent of the place prizemoney.
Which jockey was banned?
Jockey Gearoid Brouder is hit with a FOUR-YEAR suspension after testing positive for cocaine on the same day his horse was also banned for 90 days and his trainer was fined £5,000 –
Gearoid Brouder has been suspended from horse racing for four years The suspension comes after he tested positive for cocaine back in May The test was the same day he was banned for not riding a horse on its true merits
Updated: 11:52 BST, 26 July 2023 Irish jockey Gearoid Brouder has had his licence suspended for four years after testing positive for cocaine. Brouder was tested at Gowran Park in Ireland on May 10, and traces of cocaine were found in his system. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have now handed him the significant punishment of a four-year ban, although Brouder will be able to apply for part of his ban to be suspended.
- ‘It’s a four-year suspension.
- In 12 months’ time he can apply for a suspension of the final three years,’ IHRB communications manager Niall Cronin said, as quoted by The Racing Post.
- ‘That would be subject to certain conditions set out by the referrals committee which would include engagement and co-operation with the chief medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh.
Jockey Gearoid Brouder (pictured in 2020) has been banned from horse racing for four years after testing positive for cocaine ‘The full decision of the referrals committee will be issued in the coming days.’ Brouder’s positive test came on the same day he was given a 21-day ban for not riding his horse on its true merits in a 1m6f handicap race at Gowran Park.
Brouder’s horse, Ellaat, finished fourth in the race, but officials were not happy with the jockey’s conduct and he was hauled in front of stewards to explain his actions alongside trainer Charles Byrnes. After not being satisfied with Brouder’s explanation, the jockey was banned for three weeks, while Byrnes was fined €6,000 (£5,100).
Ellaat was given an even more severe punishment, as the horse was barred from racing for 90 days. However, following the IHRB’s verdict, Brouder now faces a much longer spell away from the track. His positive test came on the same day Brouder (circled) was given a ban for not riding his horse Ellaat on its true merits He was already serving a 12-month ban from the training ranks while the IHRB carried out their investigation.
- Cathal Byrnes, Charles’ son and the owner of Ellaat, admitted he was stunned by the suspension, and has claimed others need to take some responsibility for the scandal.
- ‘The fact he tested positive and was allowed to ride on the day – I can’t understand that,’ he told Racing TV.
- ‘The jockey has tested positive, you have to assume it was significant, a four-year suspension is colossal.
‘We can’t appeal, my horse is still suspended, my trainer was hit with a large fine, I just don’t know what to make of it. ‘I’m lost for words. I’m so disappointed and upset over the whole thing. We’re getting thrown under the bus, there were other failings that obviously happened.
How much does a jockey get for winning the Grand National?
Grand National Prize Money Jockeys – In terms of the jockeys, a National Hunt rider will receive in the region of approx £170 over jumps per ride, which in the whole scheme of things when it comes to the Grand National is pretty insignificant. We’re sure most jockeys would ride in the race for free! Some jockeys have personal arrangements with owners and they receive a riders’ retainers fee for riding all that owner’s horses.
Powerful owners like JP McManus is an example of this, who used to have AP McCoy before he retired, riding for him for a reported £1million a year. As well as their riders’ fees, the winning jockeys will also get a percentage of the prize money. On average this is around 8% for a winning ride or 4% for a placed finish.
Therefore, based on this, the winning jockey of the Grand National in the present day will pocket around £45k for riding the winner!
Which horse won the Grand National that never was?
Second circuit – Fourteen horses continued racing onto the second circuit, led by Sure Metal and Howe Street who between them held a decent lead until they both fell at the 20th fence. This put Romany King into the lead, which he held on to until being passed at the final fence and finishing third.
- The horse had been narrowly beaten by Party Politics in the previous year’s National but had won just one of his six races since, a moderate event at Exeter in November.
- He shared pre-race favouritism with Party Politics until shortly before the start when he drifted to 15/2 joint-second favourite.
- His Irish jockey, Adrian Maguire, was one of nine riders making their debut in the race.
One fence later, at the 21st, Joyful Noise refused, Paco’s Boy fell, as did the tailed-off The Gooser. Interim Lib unseated his rider at the Canal Turn and a tailed-off Bonanza Boy refused at the same fence. Seven runners remained and went on to complete the course: Romany King, The Committee, Esha Ness, Cahervillahow, Givus A Buck, On The Other Hand and a distant Laura’s Beau.
As they crossed the Melling Road before approaching the penultimate fence, commentator Peter O’Sullevan declared the unfolding events “the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National.” So as they race up to the line, in the National that surely isn’t, Esha Ness is the winner, second is Cahervillahow, third is Romany King, four The Committee and five is Givus A Buck.
Then comes On The Other Hand and Laura’s Beau and they are the only ones to have completed in the race that surely never was. Peter O’Sullevan describes the climax of the ‘race’. As they came to the elbow, on the 494-yard run-in to home, Cahervillahow, Romany King, The Committee and Esha Ness remained tight and vying for position.
But it was 50/1 shot Esha Ness, ridden by John White, trained by Jenny Pitman and owned by Patrick Bancroft, who crossed the line first, in the second-fastest time in Grand National history. Cahervillahow came home second despite trailing in fourth at the elbow, Romany King was third and The Committee fourth.
Givus A Buck completed in fifth, with On The Other Hand and Laura’s Beau completing the seven finishers of the National that never was.
What was the second horse that died at the Grand National?
Second horse killed at the Grand National Festival Posted on the 15th April 2023 A second horse has been killed at the Grand National meeting. Dark Raven, a 6-year-old novice, took an horrific fall this afternoon, in the third race on Grand National day at Aintree Racecourse. He looked to have broken both of his back legs as he helplessly tried in vain to get up. This brings the total number of equine deaths to 61 at the three-day meeting since the year 2000, and over 3,000 in jump racing alone.
Is a campaign by Animal Aid to stop this suffering, because the racing industry cannot be trusted or minded to act in the interests of horse welfare. Innocent race horses suffer at the hands of an industry focused on making money from their exploitation. With two horses dead, Aintree continues to be a prolific killer – it adds horses to a never-ending list of deaths that shames British racing.
The racing industry as a whole, including the British Horseracing Authority, the owners, the trainers and the jockeys are responsible for upholding this cruelty – they know the risks, yet they continue to gamble on horses’ lives. Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall Last week we joined the SciTech Open Day in Daresbury, for their very busy family-friendly science event, asking people to take our quiz and learn about animal experiments in the UK. Posted 22 Jul 2023 Jockeys have broken the whip regulations in racing nearly 50% more this year than last year.
What is the name of the two horses that died in the Grand National?
A horse was euthanised following a fall in the third race on the final day of the Aintree Festival. It is the second equine death this year at Britain’s biggest racing meeting following the death of Envoye Special on day one. Runner Dark Raven fell during the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, just a few hours before the Grand National itself.
The horse’s jockey Paul Townend is receiving treatment for his elbow. Animal welfare campaigners have criticised the meeting for the number of horse deaths. Since 2000, 61 horses have died at the Aintree Festival, 15 in the Grand National. Read more: Family’s heartbreak as Yorkshire dad died after self-harm act went wrong Four died at last year’s Aintree Festival, two in the Grand National.
Three people have been arrested in connection with coordinated protests at this year’s Aintree Festival, in Liverpool. Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, told WalesOnline : “The tragic death of Dark Raven at the Randox Grand National Festival today – the second death in only three days – shows entertainment and gambling taking precedence over animal welfare and the lives of these horses. Police remove a protester before the start of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool (Image: Jon Super/AP/REX/Shutterstock) “One death is too many but this second death simply adds to the bleak death toll at this so-called festival in the last 23 years.
What horses died in the Grand National? Discorama, Eclair Surf and Elle Est Belle die leaving trainers ‘heartbroken’ Paul O’Grady’s cause of death confirmed after TV star dies aged 67 Quaint village near Yorkshire which will add ten years to your life Saddest ‘Shameless’ Yorkshire council estate residents hit back saying it is hardly the Bronx Bradford TikTok star, 21, in tears and forced to apologise for buying first home
Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
What horse broke its neck at Grand National?
A third horse has died during this year’s Grand National. Hill Sixteen reportedly suffered a broken neck at the first fence in the Grand National and was put down. Out of 39 runners, 17 horses finished the race. Corach Rambler was winner of the Randox Grand National for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox.
- Campaign group Animal Aid’s horse racing consultant Dene Stansall said: “Jump racing must be banned to prevent the brutal horrors seen today at Aintree and this week, from happening again.
- Innocent race horses’ lives taken from them in the name of entertainment and gambling.
- Aintree, the worst of all racecourses, is a disgrace and the Jockey Club and British racing should hang their heads in utter shame at what we have seen over the past three days.” Animal Aid said two other horses were taken away in horse ambulances with life-threatening injuries.
Dark Raven was killed earlier in the afternoon and the fate of another faller, Castle Robin, in an earlier race, remained unknown. Envoye Special died on Thursday on the first day of the meeting. Subscribe here for the latest news where you live Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.
Which horse broke its neck in Grand National?
The man who trained the horse that suffered a fatal fall at Saturday’s Grand National has blamed “ignorant” protesters for his animal’s death. The Aintree race had been delayed by almost 15 minutes after protesters attempted to enter the racecourse and fix themselves to the fences and railings along the route.
Hill Sixteen – trained by Sandy Thomson – fell at the first fence and was put down after suffering a broken neck. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Grand National protesters breach security fences The Scottish handler described the horse as “hyper” due to the protests, and blamed the activists for why it fell for the first time in his career.
“He just hasn’t taken off at the first fence; he’s got so bloody hyper because of the carry on,” he told the Racing Post. He said he tried to calm the horse by washing him off but to no avail. “Unfortunately, it’s a statistic we’re all trying to avoid,” Mr Thomson said.
- He’s jumped round here twice and never had a bother.
- I don’t know when he last fell.
- I know how ignorant these people are and they haven’t a bloody clue.
- They just cause more problems than they ever solve.” Opinion: ‘I loved the Grand National until I saw what I saw’ Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Grand National protester arrested Horse deaths ‘unavoidable’ in racing Animal Rising – which spearheaded Saturday’s protest – told Sky News its actions at the Grand National “aimed to prevent exactly that from happening”.
The group said: “Firstly, we want to offer our deepest condolences to anyone connected to Hill Sixteen or who has been impacted by their death. Animal Rising’s actions at the Grand National aimed to prevent exactly that from happening. “Horse deaths and injuries are an unavoidable consequence of the way we use animals for sport, not dissimilar to the way we cause billions of animal deaths in our food system.
The only way to prevent more harm from coming to these beautiful creatures is by completely re-evaluating our connection to them and finding a way of loving them that doesn’t put them in harm’s way. “We’d welcome dialogue with Sandy Thomson or Jimmy Fyffe about how to move forwards together and really transform our relationship to horses and, indeed, to all animals and nature.” Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jockey Club chief executive: ‘You will never eliminate risk completely’ However the head of the Jockey Club, which owns Aintree racecourse, told Sky News “you will never eliminate risk completely” from the sport.
Nevin Truesdale said: “We can’t ignore what happened in terms of the fatalities we saw and every fatality in racing is one too many.” Mr Truesdale said that “99.8% of horses across all of racing come back from their races safely”, adding that the fatality rate had fallen by a third over the past decade. Image: Police officers respond to Animal Rising activists attempting to invade the race course Three horses die at Aintree Hill Sixteen was the third racehorse to die during the Grand National meeting, watched by 70,000-strong crowds. Dark Raven died earlier in the day and Envoye Special died on Thursday, the first day of the three-day festival.
- The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has since said it will “analyse” the races “in painstaking detail” following the deaths.
- The BHA and Aintree racecourse will now analyse the races in painstaking detail, as is the case every year, to build on our existing data and help us understand what caused these incidents,” BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said.
Read more: British Horseracing Authority to ‘analyse’ Grand National ‘in painstaking detail’ Roly Owers, the chief executive of charity World Horse Welfare, called it a “very sad day”. He said: “From Aintree to television screens across the world, this year’s meet was difficult to watch. “Whilst it is true that accidents can happen anywhere – and the risks can never be removed altogether – jump racing poses specific risks that it has a responsibility to relentlessly reduce wherever possible. “It is clear to us that despite the changes made by Aintree and racing to date, much more needs to be done.”
What is the Grand National cruelty?
Extreme Horse Cruelty at Grand National Race – Despite what the UK Jockey Club promotes on their site, the Randox Grand National Festival is a racing event that’s loaded with extreme horse racing cruelty. Horses are repeatedly beaten with an “air-cushioned whip” to make them run faster, which increases the risk of incidents and accidents.
What horse died at the Grand National?
Calls for jump-racing ban after Grand National horse deaths
- Animal rights campaigners have called for jump racing to be banned and “much more stringent” safety measures put in place for the sport after three horses died at the 175th annual festival.
- The third fatality, Hill Sixteen, suffered a broken neck at the first fence at the racecourse in Liverpool and died of its injuries.
- This followed the deaths of Dark Raven and Envoye Special earlier on Saturday and on Thursday respectively.
Animal Aid called for jump racing to be banned in the wake of the deaths. The campaign group’s horse racing consultant, Dene Stansall, said: “Jump racing must be banned to prevent the brutal horrors seen today at and this week from happening again. “Innocent racehorses’ lives taken from them in the name of entertainment and gambling.
- The League Against Cruel Sports said the death toll at the Aintree festival was now 62 horses since 2000 – with 16 killed in the Grand National, including two last year.
- The League called for “much more stringent” safety measures in horse racing, including banning the use of the whip.
- Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League, said: “It cannot be more apparent that it is time for change and for the introduction of tighter safety measures in the Grand National, at the Aintree racecourse and at racecourses across the UK.
“One death is too many. needs to be put before gambling profits and entertainment, and steps need to be taken to end this carnage which is occurring year after year. “A new independent regulatory body is required which has horse welfare as its number one priority. The use of the whip, which pushes horses beyond what they can safely do, should be banned.” Animal Rising activists protest outside Aintree during day three of the Randox Grand National festival. Photograph: Paul Greenwood/Shutterstock
- Peta UK described the Grand National race as “one of the longest and most hazardous in the world”, saying its “high risk factor” is “what makes it famous”.
- The organisation called for the public to urge sponsors to withdraw financial support for the event.
- “Almost every year, horses are killed during the three-day festival, sustaining horrific and often fatal injuries at notorious fences such as the Chair, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn,” Peta UK said.
- “Every time horses are forced to jump over these excessively high obstacles, it puts tremendous pressure on their slender front legs and they risk broken legs, necks and backs.
- “In some cases, drugs – both legal and illegal – have been administered by trainers and even veterinarians to mask the pain of horses who should have been recuperating so that they could instead be forced to run with injuries, making them worse.
Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend’s action Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our,
We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google and apply. after newsletter promotion “Even those who make it off the track alive are likely to suffer. Thousands of horses – including ‘spent’ thoroughbreds and those who don’t ‘make the grade’ – are discarded like used betting slips every year.
They’re abandoned, neglected, or sold for slaughter.” Campaign group Viva! tweeted that the Grand National is “infamous for killing horses”. It urged people not to support the annual race. “It is a cruel, outdated sport that needs to end,” the group added.
Dickon White, who runs Aintree racecourse as north-west regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “Hill Sixteen was immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals during the Grand National, but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.” He added: “While racing in the third race, Dark Raven was immediately attended by our expert veterinary professionals.
After assessment, sadly they concluded the necessary course of action for the horse’s welfare was to put him to sleep. Our sincere sympathies are with his connections.” Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries this week.
British racing works tirelessly to improve the sport’s safety record and reduce avoidable risk. Every incident is reviewed by the BHA alongside the race course and other bodies. “As a sport we have for years shown great determination and commitment to improve welfare standards by taking measured scientific, evidence-based, regulatory and education-based steps.” This article was amended on 18 April 2023 to clarify that Hill Sixteen was not put down or euthanised, but died of its injuries.
: Calls for jump-racing ban after Grand National horse deaths
Which two horses died Grand National?
Second horse killed at the Grand National Festival Posted on the 15th April 2023 A second horse has been killed at the Grand National meeting. Dark Raven, a 6-year-old novice, took an horrific fall this afternoon, in the third race on Grand National day at Aintree Racecourse. He looked to have broken both of his back legs as he helplessly tried in vain to get up. This brings the total number of equine deaths to 61 at the three-day meeting since the year 2000, and over 3,000 in jump racing alone.
is a campaign by Animal Aid to stop this suffering, because the racing industry cannot be trusted or minded to act in the interests of horse welfare. Innocent race horses suffer at the hands of an industry focused on making money from their exploitation. With two horses dead, Aintree continues to be a prolific killer – it adds horses to a never-ending list of deaths that shames British racing.
The racing industry as a whole, including the British Horseracing Authority, the owners, the trainers and the jockeys are responsible for upholding this cruelty – they know the risks, yet they continue to gamble on horses’ lives. Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall Last week we joined the SciTech Open Day in Daresbury, for their very busy family-friendly science event, asking people to take our quiz and learn about animal experiments in the UK. Posted 22 Jul 2023 Jockeys have broken the whip regulations in racing nearly 50% more this year than last year.