Take action against the Grand National

Posted on the 23rd March 2023

In three weeks, the three-day Grand National Festival will take place (13-15 April). The event is a relentless killer of race horses, who die in the most horrific of circumstances.

The main Grand National race takes place on the final day of the Festival and is extremely perilous. It’s run over a stamina-sapping four-and-a quarter miles and has 30 hazardous fences that the 40 horses who take part are forced to jump.

59 horses have been killed at the Grand National Festival since the year 2000, with four fatalities last year.

Many people still regard horse racing as a bit of harmless fun – but the reality is quite different. That is why Animal Aid’s new campaign calls for a ban on Jump Racing, in order to highlight the dangers to horses’ lives and welfare.

You can help our campaign in various ways – see below.

Order leaflets to distribute to friends, colleagues and family – and for your street stalls – ahead of the Grand National.
Write to ITV and BBC Radio 4, asking the broadcasters to stop promoting animal cruelty.
Watch and share our viral film on social media.
Please also keep an eye on our social media posts and share them widely – thank you!

Learn more about why the Aintree Grand National Festival is so lethal here.