The 2014 Grand National

Posted on the 5th April 2014

‘Thankfully, there were no horse fatalities in this year’s Grand National but the race was a stomach-churning, chaotic event, with just 18 of the 39 who took part able to complete the course. Eight horses fell and seven were pulled up because they were exhausted or injured. There will be horses returning to their stables tonight with, at the very least, painful cuts and bruises.

Given the severity of some of the falls it is good fortune rather than prudence on the part of the organisers that no horse was killed. The same can be said for the Topham Chase, run yesterday (Friday) on the Grand National course. This was another event marked by chaotic scenes with a number of horses crashing to the ground.

The month of March saw at least 22 horses die on racecourses across the country. That figure could so easily have been added to by events at Aintree. Animal Aid is relieved that this wasn’t the case but we remain strongly opposed to the running of the Grand National because of its cruel and hazardous nature and because the horses entered into it do not choose whether or not to take part.’

Andrew Tyler, Director Animal Aid.

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