Dene Stansall, the campaign group’s horse racing consultant, said: “Innocent racehorses’ lives taken from them in the name of entertainment and gambling.
“Aintree, the worst of all racecourses, is a disgrace and the Jockey Club and British racing should hang their hands in utter shame at what we have seen over the past three days.”
The chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority – Julie Harrington – said the sporting body works “tirelessly” to improve safety records and reduce risk.
Offering her condolences to those linked to the horses who died this week, she added: “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.”
But given 62 horses have died at the Aintree Festival since 2000 – with 16 killed in the Grand National – critics argue that the safety measures in place don’t go far enough.
The League Against Cruel Sports also wants whips to be banned because they push horses beyond what they can safely do, and says this weekend’s events show change is needed.
Spokesperson Emma Judd said: “One death is too many. Animal welfare needs to be put before gambling profits and entertainment, and steps need to be taken to end this carnage which is occurring year after year.”
She went on to call for an independent regulator that prioritises horse welfare.
Other animal welfare groups – including Peta UK – described the Grand National race as “one of the longest and most hazardous in the world”.
It is now urging the public to put pressure on the event’s sponsors so they withdraw financial support.
In a statement, Peta UK said notorious fences such as the Chair, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn cause “horrific and often fatal injuries” almost every year.
“Every time horses are forced to jump over these excessively high obstacles, it puts tremendous pressure on their slender front legs and they risk broken legs, necks and backs,” it added.
“Even those who make it off the track alive are likely to suffer. Thousands of horses – including ‘spent’ thoroughbreds and those who don’t ‘make the grade’ – are discarded like used betting slips every year.”
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/grand-national-a-disgrace-animal-rights-groups-call-for-jump-racing-ban-after-three-horses-die-at-aintree-12858467
