Grand National.

[TightEnd]

Yes but you are missing my point. Both 100-1+ shots. No hopers in the context of this race, in the conditions the race is now run in.

[Karabiner]

Yes but you are missing my point. Both 100-1+ shots. No hopers in the context of this race, in the conditions the race is now run in.

I expect Mon Mome would have been in that category last year.

[RED-DOG]

Seeing the horses lying stricken on the landing side of the fences is definitely a big factor.

More than once I have been in the unfortunate position of trying to restrain a badly injured horse while waiting for someone to arrive with a humane killer. Usually, its a bad leg break.

Sitting on an injured horse's head, getting covered in blood while trying to avoid being disembowelled by the sharp end of a broken bone as it thrashes around kind of makes an impression on you....

[MPOWER]

It's a weird one this.

In the 70s and 80s, 3-5 horses died every time during the National. The race was on it's last legs- if you owned a decent animal, you wouldn't let it run because of the high chance of it being killed. They were down to starting the race with 20 runners at one point. These days they could have 80 runners if they hadn't capped it at 40.

Since the 90s they have progressively made the fences easier. There hasn't been a death for 4-5 years now until this year.

Now I'm not saying that people should or shouldn't be concerned about dead horses. However it is interesting that lots of people seem to be concerned about the horse deaths this year, when, statistically, the National is the safest it's ever been. It's an interesting shot into people's psyche that there has been this big outcry this year. I think it is because of a) people's ever changing relationship with animals, b)  the explicit shots of the dead horse under the canvas next to one of the fences and c) notably, the shock after several fatality free years.

Hi Skippy Where do you get the above information please. I can't remember 20 Runners ever.

Code:

I think the Equine Fatalities you quoted as an average of the Aintree Festival rather than a single Grand National race.

I personally think they need to change the whole Aintree race meeting. 2011 and killing horses for entertainment. Nothing is right about that.

Regards

M

[Horneris]

Its difficult. National Hunt Horses are built for jumping fences, big fences and they love racing and this is the biggest day of the year for them. They wouldn't just want to sit in a field and never do what they are all about.

But then again imagine how the owners and stable staff feel when the horse has to be killed, absolute devastating and I imagine the horse isn't too chuffed either.

I don't really get Tighty's argument, both horses were highly rated and on their day could've gone very close to winning the race, like many other 100/1 shots have done in the past. You see the way the 41st horse in the ratings Always Waining ran on Friday in winning the Topham and you know that their were 40 quality horses in the race.

[smashedagain]

Blimey you are argumentative. In most nationals horses in the top 40 have are rated less than 10st, and so are running out of the handicap

afaik no horse has won the national from outside the handicap since the fences were made easier.

Can see you are pulling your hair out n getting frustrated  here tighty. Are you just trying to wind these guys up. It's a gift only a few have.

[Skippy]

It's a weird one this.

In the 70s and 80s, 3-5 horses died every time during the National. The race was on it's last legs- if you owned a decent animal, you wouldn't let it run because of the high chance of it being killed. They were down to starting the race with 20 runners at one point. These days they could have 80 runners if they hadn't capped it at 40.

Since the 90s they have progressively made the fences easier. There hasn't been a death for 4-5 years now until this year.

Now I'm not saying that people should or shouldn't be concerned about dead horses. However it is interesting that lots of people seem to be concerned about the horse deaths this year, when, statistically, the National is the safest it's ever been. It's an interesting shot into people's psyche that there has been this big outcry this year. I think it is because of a) people's ever changing relationship with animals, b)  the explicit shots of the dead horse under the canvas next to one of the fences and c) notably, the shock after several fatality free years.

Hi Skippy Where do you get the above information please. I can't remember 20 Runners ever.

Code:

I think the Equine Fatalities you quoted as an average of the Aintree Festival rather than a single Grand National race.

I personally think they need to change the whole Aintree race meeting. 2011 and killing horses for entertainment. Nothing is right about that.

Regards

M

Yeah, I'm talking rubbish. They did frequently get under a full field in the 70s though.

[Moskvich]

I personally think they need to change the whole Aintree race meeting. 2011 and killing horses for entertainment. Nothing is right about that.

If you fancy a change of career, I think you'd fly through an interview at the Daily Mail. People enjoying the event + some horses dying = people killing horses for entertainment. You can start as editor on Monday.

[Alverton]

I personally think they need to change the whole Aintree race meeting. 2011 and killing horses for entertainment. Nothing is right about that.

This is so ridiculous I couldnt help thinking its a level, or ur spoofing a Daily Mail reader.

[Alverton]

I personally think they need to change the whole Aintree race meeting. 2011 and killing horses for entertainment. Nothing is right about that.

If you fancy a change of career, I think you'd fly through an interview at the Daily Mail. People enjoying the event + some horses dying = people killing horses for entertainment. You can start as editor on Monday.

I personally think they need to change the whole Aintree race meeting. 2011 and killing horses for entertainment. Nothing is right about that.

This is so ridiculous I couldnt help thinking its a level, or ur spoofing a Daily Mail reader.

In before me.

[Karabiner]

The Daily Mail might be a little high-brow.

[Pelham Boy]

Reaction from Andy Stewart, owner of one of the dead horses. Spot on imo.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/11/04/10/RACING_National_Deaths.html&BID=465

[outragous76]

Reaction from Andy Stewart, owner of one of the dead horses. Spot on imo.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/11/04/10/RACING_National_Deaths.html&BID=465

I think I agree with his sentiment

I was really shocked and saddened (and surprised by my own reaction tbh) when I saw the white tarpaulin on teh course. I did hit me. Probs didnt help that my wife burst into tears instantly too.

However, the risks are know and it can happen. I am saddened by the deaths, but i dont think the race should stop because of it.  Just a sad event, but sad events happen in life

[redarmi]

There is no doubt that the GN is the most dangerous race in the calendar but that is the combination of tired horses/long distance, fast ground and big fences.  Generally Aintree isn't anymore dangerous than other jumps courses and I would venture that Cheltenham is probably more dangerous in general.

[boldie]

Alastair Down has an excellent article in the RP today.

As he states; It all revolves around the question "Are you prepared to accept the death of horses as part of the sport?".

If your answer is "No", National Hunt racing is not for you and you should stop watching all of it.

As he points out; We kill hundreds of millions of animals every year and could show you certain modern farming methods,  or the most scrupulously run abattoir, and you'd be puking within minutes.

But because those results are hidden from view you don't think about that when you tuck into your chicken sandwich or your burger.

Obviously I have just frivolously paraphrased and blatantly copied some of his comments but I totally agree with his point.