THE one horse race that millions of non-racing folk annually tune into is the Aintree Randox Grand National. For racing folk it’s a flagship event that ought to promote our sport. More recently, it’s become a lightning rod for the wider community concerned for the welfare of participants, particularly those that fall, and in particular those that don’t actually ask to partake – the horses.

Racing thoroughbreds are bred with purpose and racing provides that purpose – for them, as well as for us. I suggest that a great Grand National result is one in which the race is determined by factors such as:

No horses falling removes one of the key injury risks for jumping obstacles at speed; I hope there are no true racing enthusiasts left who enjoy seeing horses fall; surely there are no supporters who want to see horses hurt while racing?

At Aintree, we had commentators saying that protesters were compromising horse welfare by having them walk around the paddock for an extra 15 minutes, unsaddle and resaddle, and not parade. Some blamed the heightened tensions (and protestors) when a frantic charge to the first and falls with fatal consequence followed. Did the charged atmosphere ‘get to’ some humans first and horses thereafter? Perhaps our fault first?

Highly-strung

Trainers regularly petition the stewards to go straight to the start with highly-strung horses. The British Horseracing Board have granted this universally for the Aintree showcase. Starters appealing to jockeys not to conduct a cavalry charge patently hasn’t worked; we are to have an earlier start time, a standing start and reduced distance to the first jumping effort. These plus changes to the quantity and ‘quality’ of participants might mean more room and a slower pace over the first few fences. It seems that industry big-wigs fervently wish to reduce the numbers of early fallers.

Last April, the millstone-around-our-neck potential of this race shone bright: it’d be no surprise to hear that many racing administrators, owners and trainers (especially on the flat) might quietly wish it received far less attention that it did, as most of it was unwelcome. Racing in the UK is under ever-increasing pressure from without: who in their right mind gifts weapons to the opposition?

Commentary by racing people on the 2023 Grand National is specifically addressed in a paper, titled, Used Like Pawns Or Treated Like Kings. Read it here: www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/19/3137

For instance, commentators focused on husbandry conditions for racehorses at home while protestors were drawing attention to the risks horses encounter while racing. The one doesn’t address the other; intelligent people see this (well-meaning though it be) and aren’t impressed. The risk of racing injury cannot be entirely eliminated, but one of the regulator’s duties is to take reasonable measures to reduce it. The changes are a well-meaning attempt.