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Thats it for me. You can write off an occasional year with a death. To have three last year and at least two this year, its totally unacceptable.
Like other posters I think that ironically the modifications have led to more fatalities, due to speed & the bunching up of the runners. They went very fast today.
I am sure more horses have been killed since the big modifications in the 1980s than were killed prior to them.
Very, very sad. I dreaded something happening to Synchronised, such a horrible co-incidence with Alverton.
My heart goes out to the owners, trainers, stable staff of the horses & especially the people from my part of the world who bred & owned According to Pete.
Think we may well have just watched the last Grand National.No doubt we are going to hear the same negative comments as last year. I’m not attacking anyone, but the blatant sight of stricken horses under tarpaulin last year was far more damaging for the race than what occured today.
I wrote in great detail last year and do not like repeating myself.
The race will still continue. The public will still bet on it.
RIP Synch and Pete. I extend my heart to connections.
There’s no evidence that running free had anything to do with the sad death of Synchronised.
As I said in my National Preview "Despite a roundish action is proven on good as well as heavy. Biggest problem to him winning could be the fences. Usually makes mistakes, doesn’t give them much room and sometimes skews on landing". However, connections have taken three chances this season with him.
A horse with a rounded action running on good ground is taking a bigger risk, racing three times on it is taking an even greater one. Though rewarded for doing so at both Leopardstown and Cheltenham. Doubt if it had anything to do with the incident in question anyway.
Running a horse over drop fences like Becher’s who makes mistakes, doesn’t give them much room and often skews on landing (mid air), is again taking a bigger risk.
Sadly, there weren’t many horses running in today’s race that were more likely to pay the ultimate price. However, quality staying horses like Synchronised have few targets. The Bowl would have been too quick for him. So I can’t blame connections for going for the race. Particularly when it looked as if the turf would have some give. Time beat the Racing Post standard by 4.9 secs, genuinely good ground.
Value Is EverythingLike other posters I think that ironically the modifications have led to more fatalities, due to speed & the bunching up of the runners. They went very fast today.
I am sure more horses have been killed since the big modifications in the 1980s than were killed prior to them.
Very, very sad. I dreaded something happening to Synchronised, such a horrible co-incidence with Alverton.
My heart goes out to the owners, trainers, stable staff of the horses & especially the people from my part of the world who bred & owned According to Pete.
Think we may well have just watched the last Grand National.totally agree, they are ruining the race and i also think we have lost more since modifations have taken place back in 90’s
vf
Ginger, 2 fatalities is an unacceptable return. Only if the event is abolished will the lamentable deaths of these 2 racehorses be seen to have served a worthwhile purpose.
Your last post which has elements of "I told you so" is wholly inappropriate.
According To Pete lost his life by being brought down, fewer runners makes that less likely.
Bring the number of runners down to 30.
Drop fences should be done away with. Most courses have (I believe) done so. But that in turn means those running in the Grand National aren’t used to drop fences and surely makes it even more likely of fallers at Bechers.
Bechers has got to be the same on landing side as the take off.
Value Is EverythingTwo is too many?
Hundreds and thousands have been killed over fences over the years and almost all of them over different ‘safer’ fences.
If racing supporters think the National should be cancelled because it’s dangerous to horses you are almost suggesting all NH racing should be stopped due to the vast number of equine deaths it causes.
This forum seems strange to me at times and the bunny huggers will love this thread, free ammo.
Speed kills. Timber horses can race
every week
during the season, 3 and 4 mile races, but they go at a snail’s pace.
Ginger, 2 fatalities is an unacceptable return. Only if the event is abolished will the lamentable deaths of these 2 racehorses be seen to have served a worthwhile purpose.
Your last post which has elements of "I told you so" is wholly inappropriate.
My quote illustrates the
known
(
before
the race) inadeqacies of the horse (round action and the way he jumps)… Which is vital to the points I wanted to make. If I did NOT give the quote you’d be accusing me of being wise after the event.
It’s no more "inappropriate" than you EF, trying to draw a link from getting free in the prelims to the fall and death of Synchronised.
Two deaths is indeed unacceptable, especially if the rate continues. I have made two suggestions of how they might change the race for the better EF. It must be changed.
Value Is EverythingAccording To Pete lost his life by being brought down, fewer runners makes that less likely.
Bring the number of runners down to 30.
Drop fences should be done away with. Most courses have (I believe) done so. But that in turn means those running in the Grand National aren’t used to drop fences and surely makes it even more likely of fallers at Bechers.
Bechers has got to be the same on landing side as the take off.
agree, the fence simply has to go. And, constant watering to obtain a minimum of soft ground. Don’t think there were any deaths when Red Marauder won in bottomless ground.
Two is too many when the general public are watching en masse. When the public eye is not fixed upon the sport, the public do not care. By removing the highest profile occasion, you do not attract public scorn, or public adulation, this event is a ready-made vehicle for bad publicity. It is a liability to the very future of horse racing.
Are there any records that show how many National hunt runners die whilst racing compared to how many die whilst racing on the flat in any given year?
Are there any records that show how many National hunt runners die whilst racing compared to how many die whilst racing on the flat in any given year?
Threenaps,
I have heard that it is six
chasers
for every flat runner. I would presume that the ratio for hurdlers is lower.
Mike
Ginger, 2 fatalities is an unacceptable return. Only if the event is abolished will the lamentable deaths of these 2 racehorses be seen to have served a worthwhile purpose.
Your last post which has elements of "I told you so" is wholly inappropriate.
My quote illustrates the
known
(
before
the race) inadeqacies of the horse (round action and the way he jumps)… Which is vital to the points I wanted to make. If I did NOT give the quote you’d be accusing me of being wise after the event.
It’s no more "inappropriate" than you EF, trying to draw a link from getting free in the prelims to the fall and death of Synchronised.
Two deaths is indeed unacceptable, especially if the rate continues. I have made two suggestions of how they might change the race for the better EF. It must be changed.
Sorry Ginger
I believe the figures for
Hurdles 5 in 1000 runs.
Fences 7 in 1000 runs.
Before today, based on the last 12 years I believe it is 19 in 1000 runs.
Can’t remember the flat figure.May be we should have numbers for stable, home work and field deaths if we’re having a comparrison.
Value Is Everything
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