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Racing Grand National protests ‘robustly condemned’ by BHA chief

THE chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority Julie Harrington has “robustly condemned” the actions of protesters who delayed the Grand National — and also announced a “painstaking” analysis will take place in an attempt to understand what caused three fatalities over the three days of the meeting.

Sandy Thompson’s Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal fall at the first fence in the National, which was delayed by around 15 minutes after animal rights activists got onto the track, adding to the deaths of Dark Raven earlier in the afternoon and Envoye Special on Thursday.

“Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries this week. No-one will be more affected by this news than the trainers, owners and stable staff who have provided these horses with first-class care and attention throughout their lives,” Harrington said in a statement.

“The BHA and Aintree racecourse will now analyse the races in painstaking detail, as is the case every year, to build on our existing data and help us understand what caused these incidents.

“British racing works tirelessly to improve the sport’s safety record and reduce avoidable risk. Every incident is reviewed by the BHA alongside the racecourse and other bodies.

“As a sport we have for years shown great determination and commitment to improve welfare standards by taking measured scientific, evidence-based, regulatory and education-based steps.

“It is for this reason that the fatal injury rate in the sport has reduced by over one third in the last 20 years, to 0.2 per cent of runners.”

The BHA works with World Horse Welfare on a number of matters.

“Yesterday was a very sad day,” said Roly Owers, chief executive of the charity, in a statement issued to the PA news agency.

“From Aintree to television screens across the world, this year’s meet was difficult to watch. The loss of Envoye Special, Dark Raven and Hill Sixteen is heart-breaking and we offer our condolences to their connections who we know will be devastated.

“Whilst it is true that accidents can happen anywhere — and the risks can never be removed altogether — jump racing poses specific risks that it has a responsibility to relentlessly reduce wherever possible.

“Whilst in the immediate aftermath of these events it is a time to reflect and review what has happened, it is clear to us that despite the changes made by Aintree and racing to date, much more needs to be done.

“In practical terms, this is an urgent reminder of the need to bring work on the Jump Race Risk Model to the fore. The model is a key tool to help inform how to make this and other jump races safer.

“Progress on this key project has not been quick enough and this needs to change now that racing has an agreement in place with the Royal Veterinary College to help take it forward.

“Overall, the types of questions that need to be considered are the number of runners, how to reduce the number of fallers, how to better manage loose horses and how to better manage the start.

“No-one can accept fatalities as a certainty at any race and no-one, least of all anyone in racing, wants to see what we witnessed in yesterday’s Grand National.”

Merseyside Police arrested 118 people on Saturday after scores of activists climbed fences, with at least two fixing themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices, according to Animal Rising.

Animal Rising spokesperson Nathan McGovern said in a statement today: “We believe there were 118 arrests of Animal Rising supporters yesterday, with 68 in custody following the action.

“Five have been released thus far and 42 were de-arrested and turned out on to the street by police. No-one has been charged at this time.

“This is just the start of many peaceful actions to really create a national conversation about our fractured connection with animals and our natural world this summer, whether they result in arrests or not.”

Leading animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports has called for much more stringent safety measures in horseracing after the death of Hill Sixteen at the Grand National.

Emma Judd, head of campaigns and communications at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The death of Hill Sixteen at today’s Grand National reflects its shocking safety record — 16 horses have now died in the race since the year 2000.

“It cannot be more apparent that it is time for change and for the introduction of tighter safety measures in the Grand National, at the Aintree racecourse and at racecourses across the UK.”

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