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I’ve always appreciated the RSPCA being involved in a positive light with horse racing and the Grand National but I fear that something (whip debate?) has put their nose out of join and gone are the intelligent days of David Muir and in are the days of Animal Aid esque tripe like this (quoted from BBC article)
RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "I have written to the British Horseracing Authority and the management of Aintree racecourse raising major concerns about aspects of the Grand National.
"I have asked for an urgent meeting to discuss making the race safer.
"We need change, a smaller and better qualified field, and an end to killer fences like Becher’s Brook."Where do we begin?
Better qualified field?v
KILLER fence that didn’t cause any deaths as a direct result of the fence?
I haven’t done the research for the Sefton/Topham/Foxhunter races, but therein lies the answer to the question of whether reducing the distance and field sizes would have a major impact on the death rate. My guess is that it would.
Good research, but sadly the outcome isn’t what you wanted.
I can remember 3 dying in the topham/john hughes the year Dublin Flyer won for a start. The year 2 fell at Valentines in unison. Toni’s Tip at the first. A german bred horse at Becher’s.
Then you factor in a number of foxhunters deaths.
Then 2 the other year in the Becher – one a Ginger McCain horse.
Also the nature of the deaths in the other races I recall being less accidental by nature i.e. straight falls.
Thanks Shark,saves me a job as in response to Sean’s response to my post I was going to do some more digging.
So it would seem that the Grand National fences are predisposed to producing significantly higher than average equine fatality rates irrespective of the race distance or the field size.
I still find it hard to buy this arguement that the reduction in the size of some of the fences has caused more rather than less deaths. The table on page 7 of Tuesdays Racing Post seemed to contradict rather than support the argument of former jockeys such as Messrs Culloty and Davies – the time to the first fence in 2012 (27.71s) was only marginally quicker thatn the time for the same section in 2006 when the race was run on gd sft, whilst the time to the first Becher’s was quicker in 2005 than it was this year (in 2005 the going was also gd sft so if anything you woudl have expected the time to be slower).
The number of fallers has fluctuated but without really shoing a trend either way. In other words the data doesn’t appear to support the theory.
Which is why I set about using the Gold Cup, run over conventional fences, as a comparison tool. Maybe the Scottish Nation (because the fields are bigger and the distance longer) would be a better comparison and perhpas that is my weekend homework.
In conclusion I remain unconvinced that it is logical to suggest reducing the size of a fence, even if it does inject greater speed, causes greater harm to the horses, when all of the evidence oon courses with conventional fences and hurdles is that smaller fences cause less fatalities even if the competitors travel at faster speeds. To suggest that somehow it works differently with the Aintree fences than anywhere else strikes me as flying in the face of fact in order to maintain the status quo.
I think the big time difference you will see is from the 80s into the 90s and 00s. 1990 being the biggest reduction in fence height.
Pre 1990 there were bigger fences, a horrible Becher;s brook, and crappier horses. Therefore the field was spread out more (the 1977 race there appear to be at least 4 horses tailed off before the 6th). Into the 90s, but more so the 00s, you have 40 competitive horses running at a championship pace over 4ms (or 2ms in the Topham with 30 runners) and on lower fences. The only real danger pre 1990 was Becher’s – that claimed most of the lives.
I think a fair comparison would be deaths in races at Cheltenham with more crowded fields such as the Coral cup.
Sidenote – Interesting fact I have found out. The National fences are STILL as wide as they always were – the runouts were made using the road to the side.
I haven’t done the research for the Sefton/Topham/Foxhunter races, but therein lies the answer to the question of whether reducing the distance and field sizes would have a major impact on the death rate. My guess is that it would.
Good research, but sadly the outcome isn’t what you wanted.
I can remember 3 dying in the topham/john hughes the year Dublin Flyer won for a start. The year 2 fell at Valentines in unison. Toni’s Tip at the first. A german bred horse at Becher’s.
Then you factor in a number of foxhunters deaths.
Then 2 the other year in the Becher – one a Ginger McCain horse.
Also the nature of the deaths in the other races I recall being less accidental by nature i.e. straight falls.
Don’t forget though, as I stated earlier about it not all being black and white – the fatality figures have to factor in accidents that would have happened regardless of field size, going or track run on i.e. McKelvey running into railings, Graphic Approach…etc.
I think some of you are overdoing the 4 deaths in 2 years stat. Stop looking at numbers, and start looking at facts (being that the world isn’t black and white).
The deaths since 2000.
2000 – None
2001 – None
2002 – Manx Magic Heavy fall at the 4th 2nd time round (fence has been modified this year) Last Fling – Canal Turn but tiring at the time – not that heavy a fall – may have had heart attack
2003 – Goguenard – another horse jumped on his back when landing on fence.
2004 – None
2005 – Tyneandtyneagain – Running loose. Freak accident other horse jumped on his back.
2006 – None
2007 – Graphic Approach – Running loose in extreme heat – didn’t get caught. Collapsed.
2008 – McKelvey – Running loose – collided with a rail.
2009 – Hear the Echo – collapsed and died (2 or 3 false starts that year in hot conditions)
2010 – None
2011 – Ornais heavy fall at the 4th (fence modified this year). Dooney’s Gate – effectively refused Becher’s, forced over by crowding, landed on neck.
2012 – Synchronised – Running loose – broke leg. I still think it was on the flat between the 10th and 11th. According To Pete – in the leading 6 runners when brought down causing a broken leg – There was a faller and a brought down in Big Buck’s race field of 8/9 and could have happened there.So in 12 years of the National I make that 1 collapse, 1 possible collapse, 4 running loose, 2 deaths caused by crowding, 1 death caused by brought down, 2 at a fence that has therefore been modified.
So therefore your issues are –
1) Loose horses need to be caught earlier.
2) Possibility of overcrowding therefore cause redesign to encourage wide runners, widening of fences, or reduce field to 35 (then 30 if continued problems).
3) The starting procedure. Too fast to the first fence, jockey’s not listening, and false starts meaning horses are hyped up and running further than 4m 4f (following a lengthy procession and build up)The "deadly" Becher’s has only caused 1 horrible pre 90s Becher’s like death and that was poor Eudipe in 1999 (an independent fall neck first).
The Topham and Foxhunters have produced half the deaths of the National, but when you add the both of them up – a similar number to the National itself (despite having smaller fields and 1 circuit of the course).
The National itself didn’t have a single death due to falling with a jockey on board between 2004 and 2010.
This is why racing is doomed. People just don’t understand it. I am reading through the user comments on that article and even the people that think they are well informed are making mistakes. I.e.
* Paddy Brennan deserves a special mention – whether or not you agree with jump or flat racing (which also has fatalities) and therefore with a jockey’s choice of career – Paddy having been unseated himself approached Synchronised and comforted him whilst the vets swiftly arranged his dispatch behind screens. This is a quick humane process, but as upsetting as it is, it is necessary at that stage. WHERE WAS McCOY? Not so interested now his champion ride was useless? HE was equally responsible and should have been there.My heart ached when I learnt of Sync’s death so soon after his amazing effort and shocked that this was not enough for his owner JP McManus, and equally for According To Pete and for their stable lad/lasses who return to an empty stable without their best friends to look after.
BHA please regulate the Grand National NOW – don’t just leave it for another year!Paddy Brennan pulled up – not unseated.
Tony McCoy was FIVE FENCES AWAY.
BHA already regulate it!
Better quote from the article
Paddy said of Synchronised who lost his jockey Tony McCoy at an earlier fence: “I was just making sure he was OK. I put my arms around his neck to soothe him, telling him he was OK. It was very sad.”
Imagine how you would feel in that came position. Sad with any horse, but somehow even more so knowing you are comforting the gold cup winner/champion of the sport until he gets put to sleep.
And then the article ruined by this clear anti racing bullshitter
TV animal expert Anna Webb said horses who break legs are put down because it is too expensive to keep them.
She added: “The leg could be healed but it would cost thousands in vets bills and would be of no use other than as a pet.
“Someone would have to be willing to pay the costs of keeping it but never be able to ride it.”
also think the issue of some investment by the racing authorities to look at clever ways to encouraging loose horses from the course should be considered – for racing generally. I don’t know if such a facility exists, but, with the tragic manner by which Syncronised died, as well as watching the unedifying sight of at least one loose horse getting its hind legs caught in the take off side of one of the early fences in Saturday’s races, it would be useful to examine.
If the by-pass trail round the fences is only open for use when an incident otherwise engages a fence then why not open them for the whole race to encourage loose horses?
I think this is worth quoting. The loose horse issue is in fact the current main problem in my opinion. I’m not totally sure when the side run outs come in – but believe it or not that was for the loose horses and not for bypassing (they may have enhanced them for bypassing after Fitzgerald’s fall on L’Ami).
Watching my first rerun – and I’ve noted that the fences are not that much narrower than they used to be. Seems the run out has eaten into the road that ran on that side of the fence. The big problem is that the jockeys are only using half of the available fence. I think this is due to the more competitive nature of the race now. If you view an old 80s or 70s national on youtube they are spread all the way across the track and lots of the no hopers are just there to try and get round and are tailed off after 5 fences. Now you have 40 runners, all with a chance, all going down the outside and inner.
I don’t blame either fatality on crowding – but something probably needs to address it. The point earlier that On His Own may have fallen due to some crowding caused by bypassing the earlier fence.
Synchronised – IMO – breaks his leg on the flat between fences 10 and 11. You see him jump the 10th fine and then his action changes half way to the next. He then tries to jump the 11th and his bad leg causes him to crumple badly.
Looked at the course, there is a loose horse run out circular "trap" after the canal turn which in effect means you cannot bypass the canal turn.
Fair points from Fitzgerald?
"I know everyone will say that was the fence that caused the horses to fall in the first place.
"Becher’s Brook is one of the iconic fences in the Grand National. They’ve levelled it off.
"I spoke to Robbie Power (rider of Killyglen) after the race and he said normally when you got to Becher’s there was a lot of room because the way the drop was before nobody, except the really brave men and the guys who were on horses they knew would he able to cope with the drop, went down the inside.
"It meant the whole field spread out when they got to Becher’s whereas now the drop’s been levelled off nobody moved off that inside. Because of that you had a bit of a pile-up situation and a knock-on effect almost.
"That’s the danger. Suddenly no-one wants to go to the outside of the fence. They all piled up on the inner, hence the reason you get a faller and one being brought down."
Would it be hard for the animal rights groups and growing group of people against the race to see evidence (if produced) that the steps taken to make the race safe/more humane (lowering the fences/allowing horses to bypass the fences/reducing the drop) may have had a sad side effect.
Check out the photos of Becher’s here –
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse-rac … sic-794274
Has anyone got the email address for Mirror sports desk? They are reporting incorrectly on their articles. Photo of According to Pete with his leg at a horrible angle and something like "Ill fated According to Pete brings down On His Own after falling at Becher’s"
Photo of the screens up for Noel Fehily annotated with "Synchronised receives treatment as runners avoid fence"
Now I have had more time to reflect, I think we need to SLOWLY think carefully about the changes to make. Less runners seems the only one with some merit to be honest (despite Synchronised and According to Pete’s falls not related to big crowds of runners). The starting procedure needs a massive overhaul. The collection of loose horses needs investigation. The drop fences can remain as far as I’m concerned as they were responsible for a grand total of 0 deaths this year.
In amongst all the poor reporting on the Mirror site I have found a better article
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse-rac … isk-796073
Also Claire Balding is tweeting that she wants to see the number of runners reduce, listing the number of runners in the year 94-99 and 75-80 as being between 28-35. Well off the top of my head I can remember 3 dying in 98, 1 in 99, 2 in 97, 1 in 95. 2 in 77, 1 in 80, 2 in 79. What’s her point there? Strange.
Not sure but the RSPCA are calling for the result to be reversed so assuming too many times
Long time reader, long time lost username so here on a new account!
The Grand National got me into racing, to the point where I rate the Gold Cup as highly as it (didn’t use to).
I love the grand national more than you can imagine, and on one hand wish it was still has it was in the 80s. I feel they made a massive mistake with the course when they modified it for 1990. The only fence they needed to change was Becher’s as the style of death there was unacceptable.
The new fences have taken a greater death toll than the old style slower to jump fences (statistical fact if you look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_eq … d_National
When you go look at that list, its apparent that there are a great number of deaths/injuries caused when the horse is running lose or in a "melee" when brought down.I think the sport of horse racing NEEDS this race. Its the most bet on race of the year, and the betting industry funds the sport. So we cannot get rid of it, but we do need to consider how to keep it in place. The 2 deaths this year were unfortunate. I believe Synchronised injured himself loose as he was running fine away from Becher’s. Pete was brought down. Modifying those fences would not have saved that accident.
Actions to take
1) I think the users above mentioning the course being too crowded are correct, and as much as I hate the idea I really do think they now need to make this a 30 runner race (especially with the run outs now taking up plenty of space).Another issue is back in the day you’d have 20 horses with a chance, and 20 with no chance but there to try and get round. Therefore the field spread out more. People didn’t mind running round the outside. Less chance of a pile up unlike now with 40 horses all with a chance and all trying to go down the middle/inner. I would throw one question out there tho – Synchro had no horses around him when he fell. The On His Own bringing down According to Pete incident happened with only 20 horses of less left.
2) John McCrirrick has actually made a good point. Horses that unship at the start of any race and run off should be instantly removed from the race. I dont think this incident is related to syncro’s death BUT it has fuelled the publicity with social media now full of people quoting "the horse that didn’t want to run has paid the price". Also many punters would have rather had their money back after the horse exerted energy pre race.
3) They need to look into their ability/procedures for retrieving loose horses. It seems Synchro, Killyglen and maybe Weird Al all hurt themselves loose. In previous years Graphic Approach, Tyneandtynagain, McKelvey and others have been hurt when loose.
4) Possible ruling on horses being pulled up if they drop back from their position (as a precaution). Prevents a Hear the Echo situation. Policed by banning jockeys that ignore the rule. Only really valid rule for the National.
5) I am extremely angry with the jockeys. They keep ffing up the start every year and this causes a faster pace to the first set of fences, bunching up, hyperactive horses and so forth. The tape wasn’t even set and they are running forward totally ignoring the starter’s words. They HAVE to sort out the start of the race. Is it possible that the Grand National could be reduced to 30 runners and be the only jump race to use starting stalls?
6) Move the race to earlier in the year. Would avoid some Cheltenham horses running, and would hopefully lead to softer conditions (not that a soft national is always safe – 3 died in Earth Summit’s heavy national).
One thing we need though (as race fans) is to all stick together. There is already some terrible publicity and lies regarding today’s deaths. One quote of a photo of "Tony McCoy walks away from his mount Synchronised" that led to comments from readers "What a disgrace – you go limping off AP and leave your poor horse to be popped in the head". He would not have even found out until he got back to the start!
And the following link, with a picture of the screens up for Rare Bob’s jockey, and the mirror claiming it was for the Sychronised!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse-rac … ths-795508You could see the screens for Sychronised were before the 13th fence as the runners came around the final bend. I’d say his injury must have certainly been sustained somehow running loose as there is no way he would have made it from Becher’s to the 13th fence with that sort of injury.
RIP both horses and my thoughts with the stable lad/lass involved and all connections.
Lets hope we can make the intelligent adjustments needed to make the race safer, get 20 of 30 horses completing, and then we can concentrate on the fantastic scenes of the likes of Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy fighting out the most exciting finish EVER.
