New adjustments to the UK’s Grand Nationwide horse race subsequent April goal to make the enduring steeplechase safer for horses and their riders. These embody trimming the variety of runners from 40 to 34 and lowering the peak of the eleventh fence by two inches.
Derek Fox using Corach Rambler to victory on the 2023 Grand Nationwide. Subsequent yr’s race will make use of measures to cut back the chance to horses and riders. (Picture: Getty)
With an estimated world viewership of as much as 600 million in additional than 140 nations, the Grand Nationwide is arguably probably the most well-known horse race on the earth. It’s arguably additionally probably the most controversial.
The race’s distance (4 miles), giant area, variety of fences, and strange fence heights make the race a favourite with gamblers, as a result of it will probably create shock winners at lengthy odds. However animal rights teams have lengthy argued that the race is harmful and merciless.
Activist Invasion
This yr’s Grand Nationwide, held in April, was delayed for 14 minutes when activists stormed the racetrack after scaling perimeter fences with ladders. Some managed to connect themselves to fences on the monitor.
There have been 5 fatalities from 395 runners within the 10 Grand Nationals since a security evaluate resulted in modifications to the monitor again in 2012.
Three horses died throughout the three-day meet this yr at Aintree Racecourse close to Liverpool, together with one in the course of the Grand Nationwide itself. That was Hill Sixteen, who suffered an “unrecoverable harm” when he fell on the first fence of 30.
This fence will likely be moved 60 yards nearer to the beginning as a part of the brand new reforms. That’s as a result of new analysis exhibits that speeds to the primary fence have elevated from 28mph to round 35mph lately.
A standing begin to the race, relatively than letting horses run in, can even be carried out to deal with this problem. The race can even begin earlier within the day so the bottom stays softer and slower.
Opposing Voices
Whereas many reward the adjustments, a spokesperson for Animal Rising, the group that disrupted this yr’s race, informed the BBC no security adjustments are enough till horse racing is halted within the UK for good.
In the meantime, traditionalists see the adjustments as an extra dilution of a race that’s virtually 200 years outdated.
A protected Grand Nationwide is the last word oxymoron – and even mentioning it creates dishonest expectations,” instructed David Jennings, deputy Eire editor at The Racing Put up.
“It’d nonetheless be the Grand Nationwide. However brick by brick, fence by fence, furlong by furlong, and runner by runner, the nice Aintree occasion is being dismantled into simply one other staying handicap chase,” he added.
