The Grand National

I’ve bet on two horses today
An outsider with food odds Three Card Brag
And a ‘favourite’ with lesser odds JohnnyWho

I went to school with the trainer's daughter of a very famous horse. He won 3 times I think.

He'd come to school on sports days and there's no doubt he was a very well cared for horse.

We'd ride alongside on the beach which was right by where we lived. Just fabulous, riding along as the sun rose, fabulous memory. He was also taken care of post retirement.

However I now hate it. Never place a bet, won't watch, dreading hearing of any fatalities.

On the other side I do wonder what would happen to these beautiful horses is racing was stopped. I guess they would become extinct. Who would pay for the upkeep of these magnificent creatures of there was no horse racing?

Our late Queen was a huge fan wasn’t she? Always seemed at her happiest either riding a horse or at the race track with her binoculars!

Yes, it’s a really tough call choosing between riding a horse to death and taking a cut of £500,000.

Oh what’s the name of your horse FGT2?!
I will look out for it!

There are procedures in place for jockeys and trainers who mistreat horses and try to break the rules. It's a tough call.

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 too grew up from a racing family in Ludlow on my father’s side - trainers and jockeys of high acclaim.

Flat racing has vastly fewer dead horses and injured jockeys due to not having to jump fences and race in bad weather. However, the National has become far safer in recent years, the number of horses has been reduced and the race is slightly shorter. I grew up in a racing household and will be having a bet.

OMG Iam that's horrific

I’ve just been over to the bookies and placed a bet.

I used to take part in the work syndicates thinking it was a bit of fun until I was educated on how the horses lived out the rest of their lives or not as can be the case.

A horse sometimes dies days after the race due to exhaustion or injuries sustained. It needs to stop.

Last year Celebre D'Allen was pulled up on the run-in and died two days later. Literally, ridden to death.

Jockey Micheal Nolan was given a ten-day ban for continuing to race despite the horse showing signs of tiring.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equine_fatalities_in_the_Grand_National

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.

No, I’d never do anything to support this cruel, unnecessarily dangerous race.
Yesterday, a horse was euthanised after breaking his back in a fence related fall. The jockey got the horse up and won the race before it was euthanised.

How can this be sport

I know it’s a controversial race but those in the know have continually said that the horses are very well cared for, and how they actually love racing.
There have sadly been some deaths over the years though.

No and never have; it's cruel.

Grandma70s

It’s a cruel race. I used to take it for granted, but no longer. So no, no flutter.

Exactly my experience too. I refuse to watch it or participate in discussion, except to end it!

No. A very high chance that at least one horse will die today in the pursuit of human greed and that's one too many.

Yes, having a flutter.

It’s a cruel race. I used to take it for granted, but no longer. So no, no flutter.