by The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) says it will “analyze” Grand National meeting racing “in great detail” after the deaths of three horses.
Hill Sixteen was destroyed after she fell at the first fence during the Grand National’s main race, followed by a crowd of approximately 70,000. It followed the deaths of Dark Raven and Envoye Special on Saturday and Thursday, respectively.
BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington said: “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered life-threatening injuries this week.
“No one will be more impressed by this news than the trainers, owners and stable staff who have provided these horses with first-class care and attention throughout their lives.
“BHA and Aintree Racecourse will now analyze the racing in great detail, as they do every year, to build on existing data and help us understand what caused these crashes.”
Protesters were “removed”
Meanwhile, more than 40 animal rights campaigners were detained a day after a large group of protesters tried to gain track access at Aintree racecourse, delaying the Grand National race by 12 minutes, they said. said Animal Rising activists.
Around 118 people were arrested by Merseyside Police on Saturday after protesters vaulted over fences and at least two people sheltered from a jump using glue and blocking devices.
Others had stuck to the M57 carriageway, causing traffic delays for more than an hour.
Those arrested were men and women aged between 18 and 66 and came from Kent, Southampton, London, Essex, Swansea, Falkirk and Glasgow.
They were arrested on charges of a variety of felonies, including conspiracy to cause public harassment, obstruction of highways and possession of controlled drugs.
Of those arrested. 65 people have been arrested and are being processed and will be released on bail pending further investigation.
Animal Rising spokesman Nathan McGovern said 42 people had been “removed from arrest” and “led to the street by police”.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “As you can understand, the safety and well-being of everyone is of paramount importance when dealing with large-scale public events such as this, and that includes those who are protesting.” .
He said while police “respect the right to peaceful protest and the expression of views”, criminal behavior and disorder “will not be tolerated”/
To know more:
The third racehorse dies during the Grand National meeting
Grand National ‘a shame’
Opinion – “I loved the Grand National until I saw what I saw”
Protests followed by the death of the horse
Mr McGovern said the protests were held to “prevent the horses from sustaining harm”, adding that Hill Sixteen’s death “would have been avoided if the race had not taken place”.
He said: “Supporters of Animal Rising are not in danger of being arrested lightly, but taking action to protect animals and nature is more important than keeping business as usual.
“This is just the beginning of many peaceful actions to really create a national conversation about our fractured connection to animals and our natural world this summer, whether or not they result in arrests.”
Merseyside Police said: “We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of opinion, but criminal behavior and disorder will not be tolerated and will be tackled firmly.”
BHA chief executive Ms Harrington said on Sunday: ‘We respect anyone’s right to have an opinion about our sport, but strongly condemn the reckless and potentially harmful actions of a handful of people who have disrupted racing at a time where the horses were in ringing parade.
“Those involved in British racing are justifiably proud of our sport and the role it plays in providing an unrivaled quality of life for horses bred for racing. Love and respect for horses is at the heart of everything we do we do”.
