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I take your point about banning it, but not entirely convinced that the National would easily escape the attentions of the Coalition’s leftwing as far as an appeasement strategy is considered.
Note that the minister with responsibility for horseracing is John Penrose, Conservative MP for Weston-Super-Mare, the Minister for Tourism and Heritage at the DCMS and – strikingly – the husband of Cool Dawn’s owner and sometime rider Dido Harding.
Cameron thus wouldn’t be the only significant barrier to any appeasement strategy re: the National that those less kindly disposed towards the sport in the Coalition might want to push through. I simply cannot imagine it being given the time of day on either or both men’s proverbial watch. More fool me, perhaps…
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
It’s not just the deaths; 40 runners, all of whom met pretty stringent new criteria on ratings, experience, stamina etc, set out and 25 of them failed to complete.
Think about that: 62.5% of supposedly well qualified steeplechasers were unable to get round the course.
Is that the ‘spectacle’ we all want to preserve?
8 out of 21 failed to get home in the Grand Annual
50% of the field failed to get home in the Pat Taffe chase last year.You going to ask for changes to those too ?
Reduction in field size is the way forward. 32 runners.
Government action or inaction is irrelevant.
BHA are mindful that jump racing has already gone in Australia and that RSPCA already have legal powers of prosecution. BHA also have to answer why they have not enforced their own "animal cruelty" whip rules in the National. If BHA did not consider it "cruel" or "appears to be cruel" then they would not have needed to recently further restrict the use of the whip.
They are also mindful that whenever jump racing gets into the main media, the second sentence is how many horses died this time. The media are not going to let it go."When RSPCA inspectors have reason to believe that an offence has been committed, they prepare a case file containing evidence such as witness statements, photographs, and veterinary or other expert advice.
The RSPCA, unlike the police, have no special powers to gather evidence. But we use the law to ensure any evidence gathered can be used in court.
Once the investigation is complete, the file is submitted to our prosecutions team, who (alone) consider whether the case ought to be prosecuted."
sharkenergy; they are really valid points that you have made. And what Hurdygurdyman wrote about the possibility of the bunching effect contributing to the loss of According to Pete compounded a thought I had myself when watching the race. I’m very angry with The Racing Post today for showing a [albeit small] photo of Pete being brought down. Out of respect for the horse and his connections that shouldn’t have been printed. I’m going to change my vote to ‘continue but amend’, although I fear that every change brings new unforseen dangers. It’s sad that this has detracted from what has been one of the great weight carrying performances of recent years, and that the cathartic effect of Neptune Collonge’s win will have been overshadowed by the pain felt by other people, as the Hales’ more than anyone will know the pain they are feeling. I must point out that another forum I frequent has likened the race to being on a parr with bullfighting, and nothing I say can convince them that racing folk care about the horses. It’s with a heavy heart that I write this, the saddest I have felt since One Man lost his life.
I truly believe that the spirit of One Man was with John Hales yesterday and spurred his decision to immediately announce the retirement of both Neptune Collonges and Noland.
Seeing Neptunes winning in the One Man colours brought back memories both happy and sad and as I have said before I have not been a fan of John Hales since he ran One Man at Aintree in the Mumm Melling so soon after his win at Cheltenham.
However, I have to applaud him for being so outright in his decision with no ‘Wait and see’ tactics that we are having to endure with the career of Kauto Star.
Horses that have run at Cheltenham often don’t run well at Aintree and even though Sprinter Sacre won on Saturday I could hardly watch the race, firstly because I thought that Australia Day was going to bring him down and then because he seemed to be running away with Barry Geraghty and overjumping at each obstable, I was glad when the race was over. When he ran at Cheltenham he was Poetry in Motion and foot perfect, Saturday he looked uncomfortable and uneasy until the final stages.
Now the National fences have been modified the horses are running much too fast, and I want to know where the safety nets were for horses to ‘run out’ of the race when poor Synchronised got up from his fall and was able to jump 5 more fences before Bechers where he finally fell for the last time. I still can’t get over why he ever ran at all after showing signs that he was spooked by the whole affair, but it’s too late for that now and it has thrown a shadow over the GN once more.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Now the National fences have been modified the horses are running much too fast, and I want to know where the safety nets were for horses to ‘run out’ of the race when poor Synchronised got up from his fall and was able to jump 5 more fences before Bechers where he finally fell for the last time. I still can’t get over why he ever ran at all after showing signs that he was spooked by the whole affair, but it’s too late for that now and it has thrown a shadow over the GN once more.
Synchronised fell at Becher’s. He did not fall and jump five more before it.
I have to wonder about people’s judgement and their motivation for complaining when they get simple facts like this wrong
there were screens up on the take off side of a fence on the final circuit ( the field bypassed this fence as there were also screens on the landing side ) – Synchronised fell, was injured but tried to continue and came to grief further down the track.
RSCPA Officer on "Daybreak" this morning needs to get his facts RIGHT: Synchronised did not bolt before the race; the fences are not 5 foot 10 to 6 foot …
There have also been captions for photos in the press of the screens which were round Noel Fehily saying they were for Synchronised …
The flat nature of Aintree compared with Cheltenham is partly to blame for the speed. It also seems to dry up very quickly, even if it has been rainy. It rained very heavily here in Stockport but not for some reason in Liverpool; the wind from the Mersey Estuary dries the going.
There have always (it seems to me) been quite a few falls & fatalities on the park course & hurdle course as well due to this. We have had no hosepipe ban in the North West & they could have saturated the course had they wanted to.
On the subject of numbers 29 horses ran in 1954 & four were killed, the highest number in a post war running, so reducing the field would not necessarily make it safer.
Wish the RSPCA would take some time out to find out more about horses & racing before their knee jerk comments; the public believe them.Now the National fences have been modified the horses are running much too fast, and I want to know where the safety nets were for horses to ‘run out’ of the race when poor Synchronised got up from his fall and was able to jump 5 more fences before Bechers where he finally fell for the last time. I still can’t get over why he ever ran at all after showing signs that he was spooked by the whole affair, but it’s too late for that now and it has thrown a shadow over the GN once more.
there were screens up on the take off side of a fence on the final circuit ( the field bypassed this fence as there were also screens on the landing side ) – Synchronised fell, was injured but tried to continue and came to grief further down the track.
I really think that the screens which you say were on the take-off side of the fence were there purely to help block off the fence. I’m not sure there was any incident on the take-off side. I’ll no doubt be proved wrong.
OOER; I thought senility really had set in when I read this cause I think Triptych was replying to something I said and mentioned about the screens! That and still getting choked up [at work this is] every time I think about the race. I’m trying to state a case for the race on another forum I use and at the moment I’m starting to question anything and everything.
Sorry to cause you some anxiety Mo, I should have deleted a bit more before I posted my message. I will get the hang of this eventually
In answer to the question of this post ‘Who’s had enough?’I would say yes, i have; for these reasons.
I’ve had enough of the continuous uproar that the National brings every year. Is the race cruel? No. It would be cruel if those horses were sent out for a purpose to live or die. Now that’s a definition of cruel.
I think (speaking as a fellow horseman – point to pointer) the fence are not wide enough, but ultimately are too small. The smaller the fences are, the faster the horse will go and the more casualties you have. Fact.
You can’t and won’t please everyone and remember that a huge majority of the joe public only watch the National and have no idea of the in’s and out’s of the sport.
It’s a sport of risk and the Natoinal is the ultimate challenge. I risk my life jumping for fun, but more importantly is that the horse enjoys it and it will tell you if it doesn’t. Remember Wisley Wonder and Vodkatini?!
the horse enjoys it and it will tell you if it doesn’t. Remember Wisley Wonder and Vodkatini?!
I don’t believe this sentiment is as open and shut as others have propagated. It can’t be denied that some horses really enjoy it but that’s not to say that all of them do and their compliance alone isn’t strong enough evidence for me.
Just like humans, horses have differing personalities. Some will have a very strong Byronesque force of will such as the ones you’ve mentioned and the likes of Bellator and Chaninbar. But then there will be others with a more Clegg like subservient personality.
Similarly, horses can communicate by using body language and what was tragically poignant on Saturday was that of Synchronised’s. You could tell when he looked at the first that deep down he didn’t fancy it. To tell yourself or anybody else otherwise is just stark dishonesty.
They do it because they are trained and conditioned to do it, we cannot know that they ‘enjoy’ it as we enjoy things.
I can believe horses enjoy running but given the choice when they get out the lorry would they choose to:
a) frolic in a field together, unadorned
b) eat some grass and hay together
c) get tacked up, man thrown on back, forced into stalls and made to race, maybe jump fences, kickback in their face and a bit of a whipping?In a month’s time we will be debating the Derby in the light of the Guineas and Derby trials and this will all be forgotten, like the whip has been.
Similarly, horses can communicate by using body language and what was tragically poignant on Saturday was that of Synchronised’s. You could tell when he looked at the first that deep down he didn’t fancy it. To tell yourself or anybody else otherwise is just stark dishonesty.
Hundreds of horses over the years haven’t taken to the race, how many times have you heard a jockey or trainer say such and such didn’t take to it, even ones that have done well or even won previously. That is part and parcel of the race.
I wouldn’t take too much notice of what Syncronised did when McCoy showed him the fence, how many horses have been shown the fence in isolation before? many horses might have a think when faced with something they’ve not seen before, he jinked at the starting line as well. Doesn’t mean they will automatically fall or get killed.
Similarly, horses can communicate by using body language and what was tragically poignant on Saturday was that of Synchronised’s. You could tell when he looked at the first that deep down he didn’t fancy it. To tell yourself or anybody else otherwise is just stark dishonesty.
I’m sorry to say, but this is a huge myth. The reason why horses are taken to the first fence/hurdle, is purely for the riders purpose. It’s part of the jockey psyche and not for the horse.
To say that Synchronised didn’t fancy it is a ridiculous statement. The horse clearly had his ear pricked before the race and was enjoying himself merrily when he was running free. Why did he continue to jump round after his fall? If he didn’t want to jump, he would not of got as far as Beachers. I’ve been on many pointers who don’t fancy it and believe me, if they don’t want to race, then they won’t.
Also, Synchronised was not spooked by the whole affair, he and others ducked out/jinxed because of the lowness of the starting tape and not becuase they didn’t want to race.
I wouldn’t take too much notice of what Syncronised did when McCoy showed him the fence, how many horses have been shown the fence in isolation before? many horses might have a think when faced with something they’ve not seen before, he jinked at the starting line as well. Doesn’t mean they will automatically fall or get killed.
He jinked when he saw the starting line probably because he only caught sight of it at the last moment which would be the expected response.
To say that Synchronised didn’t fancy it is a ridiculous statement. The horse clearly had his ear pricked before the race and was enjoying himself merrily when he was running free.
You’ve effectively contradicted yourself there. Judging by his mannerisms, Synchronised was a zen master in the pre parade ring and was indeed enjoying galloping along once he had gotten loose. The change in his countenance when he saw the fence was most conspicuous. It was clear to anybody watching that he did not like the look of the fence.
Why did he continue to jump round after his fall? If he didn’t want to jump, he would not of got as far as Beachers.
Just like you, I don’t
know
for certain but I can hazard a few guesses;-
1) Being surrounded by 39 other horses in stampede mode, his instincts would have kicked in.
2) He most probably didn’t see the fences until a matter of strides before he reached it and by then, it would have been too late to have come to a complete stop.
3) Tony McCoy is a very persuasive horseman who is famous for imposing his will on horses and extracting effort from them.
I’ve been on many pointers who don’t fancy it and believe me, if they don’t want to race, then they won’t.
And of all these many many pointers, were they all as willful and emotionally honest as each other? Did every single horse jump every single fence because it wanted to? Or did some of them jump the fences because you asked them to?
Also, Synchronised was not spooked by the whole affair, he and others ducked out/jinxed because of the lowness of the starting tape and not becuase they didn’t want to race.
You’re assuming that I’m stupid
Just re-watched the Claire Balding piece about According To Pete and his owner/breeder. I don’t think I have seen a more heartbreaking piece of footage in the history of the sport. In particular Mr Nelson’s closing words: "He’s been a lovely animal for us, and I just hope he gets round safe and sound". I cannot sympathise enough with that poor family who reared the brave Pete from a foal.
I recall John Mulhern saying virtually the same thing prior to Hungary Hur’s sad demise when interviewed by the BBC immediately prior to the 1990 renewal.
I think if the Grand National is to continue in its current form, the very least racing could do is erect a lasting monument to the Grand National’s equine dead. They pay the ultimate price for our "fun" and if we are not able to remove or radically overhaul the event, we should at least be able to publically pay tribute to the unfortunate horses such as According To Pete.
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