The Grand National

BlueBelle

Well at least two on here couldn’t care less about beautiful animals being driven to death

Au contraire! I have been around horses since I could walk, and went on to own several.

DD competed, we have had ex racehorses at our yard.

I also know that you cannot get a horse to do something it doesn’t want to, by kindness or cruelty.

Out of interest I have just asked Google/AI the question ref how many horses die during Racing in the UK.
The answer it it gave... Around 99.7%+ of horses do NOT die in a race therefore 0.22% of race runners die from fatal injuries.

I also know that you cannot get a horse to do something it doesn’t want to, by kindness or cruelty.

So why was Micheal Nolan given a ban for riding Celebre D'Allen to death in last year's race?

Nolan was handed a 10-day suspension after Aintree stewards ruled he had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence. (BBC)

If you want to know the real statistics, go to the Race Horse Death Watch website. The figures speak for themselves.

There have been a number of changes put in place recently in an attempt to make the race safer for horses and jockeys.
Nothing in life can be 100% safe though, can it, including horse racing.

Graphite

^I also know that you cannot get a horse to do something it doesn’t want to, by kindness or cruelty.^

So why was Micheal Nolan given a ban for riding Celebre D'Allen to death in last year's race?

Nolan was handed a 10-day suspension after Aintree stewards ruled he had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence. (BBC)

Graphite horses are herd animals, which is why if they unseat their jockey during a race they continue to run with the others.

As for Michael Nolan, he was found guilty of a racing offence and given a ban.

It’s just a disgrace that people have gloated about their bets as horses are being whipped to their cruel deaths.

Much as I know it’ll upset most of you, yes I’m having a flutter. I rarely win.

This race has been made safer and safer across many years, jumps are smaller and safer and races have been made smaller and more rules about whip use and vet checks.

I like horse racing, I’ve ridden horses, I love horses, I’d prefer there was only flat racing.

I’ve followed racing since I was in my teens and I understand others views and opinions on it.

Most racehorses now are very well looked after before, during and after their racing days.

I also 🙏🙏 no horses stumble and are injured or die.

Horses can stumble anywhere though and just riding across fields carries a danger.

Fallingstar

The horses are well cared for because they bring in a lot of money for the owner, but they will be flogged mercilessly during the race and some could be put down due to injuries sustained.
It is also gambling and that’s ok for those who just want a flutter but for countless addicts this could cost them their homes, marriages, or even their lives.
Sorry for being a party pooper but that’s how I feel.

It’s ok to express your views and beliefs, it doesn’t make you a “party pooper” even if a tiny few on of us on this thread disagree with you 🥀

Injuries prevent me from riding these days .
I used to bet on the horses now I don't.

Like BlueBell -
I was sickened by the horse that broke his back in a fall and was whipped on to win yesterday.

“GrannyGravy13

BlueBelle
Well at least two on here couldn’t care less about beautiful animals being driven to death
Au contraire! I have been around horses since I could walk, and went on to own several.

DD competed, we have had ex racehorses at our yard.

I also know that you cannot get a horse to do something it doesn’t want to, by kindness or cruelty.”

bluebelle I do understand your views, but I think you’re being harsh.

Many of us love animals, lots unfair of you to accuse us of not caring less about horses, who are beautiful, because we watch or are involved or support horse racing.

We, DH & I, love horse racing, all events which include horses, and though you might choose to believe otherwise, modern day horses have a much better life, even working horses, than when they were used for farming, or many many years before taken into war.

I’m sorry you feel this way, but it’s your complete right, please don’t paint us as soulless creatures who don’t care about horses, or all animals in general.

Esmay

Injuries prevent me from riding these days .
I used to bet on the horses now I don't.

Like BlueBell -
I was sickened by the horse that broke his back in a fall and was whipped on to win yesterday.

Btw, this also sickened and shocked me, however, like it or not, the jockey was simply do his job and I expected he too was shocked and saddened by the final outcome.

I get he DID “ride him to death”, but I don’t believe he did this deliberately.

Syracute

It’s just a disgrace that people have gloated about their bets as horses are being whipped to their cruel deaths.

I’ve not seen anyone gloating on here.

Get rid of jump racing = get rid of the only reason horses unable to compete on the flat are not being turned into food for your pooches. Reality eh?

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Get rid of jump racing = get rid of the only reason horses unable to compete on the flat are not being turned into food for your pooches. Reality eh?

☹️☹️☹️

I always watch the National. I agree with those who say there is risk in everything.
I spent a large part of my childhood on horseback & horses & even children's ponies will race each other.
So sad about the horse with a broken back, he must have got up & galloped after his fall, that isn't something the jockey was responsible for, that's the horse's instinct, training & adrenaline making him want to go on. The jockey must feel awful for whipping him now he knows about the injury.
The Grand National course is still the most dangerous (in the UK anyway) for horses & jockeys alike. Flat racing is safer, but the horses are 2 year olds when they start which always seems very young, National Hunt horses are fully mature.
Cars kill much wildlife and many people, dogs & cats. Some of them have excrutiating deaths. If you drive, you take this risk, it doesn't mean you don't care about other people or dogs & cats.You do it as safely as possible.
The racing establishment do care about safety and do care about their horses.But I don't know how much longer the Grand National will survive, all more reason not to miss it today.

Gambling on football & online casino games probably responsible for more gambling debts than the geegees these days.

I'm really not interested these days. However when I was about 8 years old, my dad put on a shilling for me and my winnings were 8 shillings. I bought outfits for my Sindy doll. I still remember that the horse was Anglo.

Most horses,like most athletes never make it to the top and make money for the trainer.Do you really believe that all those 'failures' are put out to pasture,fed daily and looked after? The trainers would go out of business before you can say kit e kat.Most were sent straight to France until it was outlawed.Now they take a circuitous route via Ireland to circumvent the law.

I always bear in mind what my late dad said about gambling at the bookies
“Note how there are 3 counters for placing bets and only one counter to collect winnings.”
(That was back in the day)
Wise man my dad.

The only time we had a punt was when we lived in Jersey. There was a horse called Corbiere, and the lighthouse just outside St.Helier bore that name. As you can imagine, most of the islanders bet on it. The bookies were not happy!

BlueBelle

Never, never would watch it, it’s not entertainment, its horrible

That horse that was killed yesterday finished the race with a broken back and was whipped on after its fall
ITS HORRIFIC
JenniferEccles take your rose tinted glasses off
This is a killing game and everyone who has ‘a little flutter’ is supporting it and funding it
Shame on the horrible business it’s not a sport it’s killing fields

I’m with you Bluebelle.

JenniferEccles

Is anyone having a flutter?
Many years ago when I was working there was usually an office sweepstake which was fun although my horse never won !

Yes I am. Good luck to us all.
May all the runners and riders get around safely as is the aim along with winning of course.

Another horse put down today at Aintree after suffering a broken leg - earlier race than the National.

Well done I am Maximus 👏👏👏

Second time winner of Grand National 🐎🐎

What a star! ⭐
A well deserved win for a fine horse. Unbelievable!