robbest3offthetee
Tour Rookie
They do , Its called the Flat season, Ok its sad when horses get put down, but as was said, its for the best if they are so badly injured...
The Grand National
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AmandaJR
Money List Winner
15 have died on Bechers Brook alone so why still have that hazard?? Just make it safer for crying out loud - not that difficult.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Bechers has been changed multiple times over the years, the biggest change coming from last year to this.
What some people dont realise is by constantly making the obstacles smaller it means that the horses are actually going much faster, which means that when they do fall the outcome can be sadly worse and even fatal (this is compounded by greater money available meaning better horses are running in it which again leads to the pace being higher).
Btw there are fences at other tracks around the country which have far worse records than Bechers, but these are not attacked because they are not seen by the once a year crowd
BeachGolfer
Head Pro
They did along with many other course changes and since, the fatality rate has increased as horses now take these fences faster and flatter. The GN has always been a circus, 40 years ago 75% of the 50+ fields had absolutely no chance, most refusing in the early stages. Now, the owners of each of the 40 entries believe they have a realistic chance of winning of what for many will be their only ever entry in a GN. Jockeys ride under instruction. Its criminal, its saddens me to see these animals pushed to the limit, IMO its the owners that are culpable. Its also worth remembering that certain owners of great chasers Arkle, Desert Orchid, Dawn Run etc were fairly vocal about why they wouldn't enter their horse in the GN. Ban the GN and where to next? Cheltenham NH Festival, Epsom, Burghley?
It isn't just the National though. Horses are dying almost weekly at one track or another around the country. The difference is these are tiny fields, usually in maiden or novice events and there isn't the hoo hah of the big race today. There has been a debate on whether national hunt racing should be banned altogether. Does it make a difference if its Aintree in front of millions or Ludlow in front of a few hundred
freddielong
Tour Winner
They are just horses who cares they are eaten in some countries I am from the isle of man were we have the TT races and in a good year only 2 riders will die in a bad year it could be double that that and twice as many spectators
perspective please
perspective please
AmandaJR
Money List Winner
Surely that's about choice and we make the horses face possible injury...
But hey as you say they shoot/eat horses don't they? Each to their own.
Managed a 2,3,4 for a decent lift then proceeded to knock most of it over my neck last night....suffering badly!
