Time for National action

Needs to be banned.

Ban it

I have always felt that until a jockey gets badly hurt, no one will ever improve things for horses. So perhaps now this can lend more weight to the argument that at the very least,some of the more dangerous fences should be toned down.

How can we in the UK campaign against bull fighting and other animal cruelty abroad when we allow this barbaric 'sport' to take place in our own country???

The sport of kings? The sport of utter barbaric, brutal savages is my personal opinion. It should be banned. The authorities that claim it is safe should be brought to task and made to answer for the deaths and injuries to the horses.

I was absolutely horrified to see this happen. I'm not sure how I've gone about my life not knowing about this, but my eyes are well and truly open now. Everyone started talking about the race mid-week and by Saturday, Leeds filled with National-Mania. Me and the girls put it on to see what all the hype was about. To our horror and extreme distress, we watched two horses fall to their deaths right before our eyes. This must stop. We really should know better than to allow these animals to suffer in this way, for the sake of entertainment and money. What can I do to help stop this happening again?

I have mixed feelings towards this race. I do think there should definatly be less participents involved in this race as it is just far to crowded. The length should possibly also be reduced but as for the height of the fences I think if they get lowered again it will just speed up the race and it is the speed that causes most accidents. Anyone who is 100% against this race should be against racing in general as horses don't only die in this race but in many flat races too. Atleast at the Grand National there is a vet at every fence ready to put the poor horses out of pain whereas in some flat races the horses have to wait for a vet to get too them. I do not watch horse racing as I don't really like it I think whips are unnecessary, if a horse wanted to run you wouldn't need a whip to make it but I think if racing was banned then that would be an end to thoroughbreds as we know them. They're amazing animals and I think some things do need to be changed in horse racing and the Grand National but I think they need to look at it from every angle before lowering fences and speeding it up.

This so called sport is just to make as much money as possible and has nothing to do with the welfare of the horses or even the jockeys. The jockeys however, have a choice to be there - the horses do not. Stop the needless slaughter of these beautiful animals

It's very cruel please ban it.

Forget reform. The idiots who make this 'sport' into the million pound industry it is should just STOP betting on horses. Leave these beautiful, gentle animals alone. They are not here to be raced and injured to death. They are not here to make you money, nor here for your pathetic idea of entertainment. Why are horses expendable?? Get a life and leave these beautiful creatures to their own.

It is a barbaric race, there are too many high jumps and too many horses in the race, it there is an accident there is no place for the horses jumping to go. It should be banned, we are supposed to be a country of animal lovers. I never watch the race as it is too upsetting, The jockeys have a choice but the horses don't and they shouldn't be allowed to whip them so.

I have always been opposed to horse racing and the Grand National makes me feel physically sick. I dread it every year. It makes me particularly angry when ill informed people declare that horses 'love' it. They don't. They run because they are herd and prey animals and are responding to the fight or flight instinct i.e. their first response to danger is to flee. The whole industry revolves around money and to the owners the animal is just an expendable commodity.

I have always been against this kind of sport, now that a human being has been hurt perhaps they'll take it more seriously. A horse has no choice, it runs in the direction that it's beaten!

There will always be cruelty where animals and gambling are combined. Gambling on any animal should be banned. It is the exploitation of animals for man's greed.

This might sound harsh, but if each jockey whose horse died in the race was exectuted, would any jockeys then get on horses in subsequent races. The answer is no. This shows that jockeys and trainers and owners are treating their horses like disposable commoditities. This doesn't belong in the 21st Century.

There is little to be said in favour of any sport that risks the life of any animal for monetary gain...and that after all, is all it's really all about.. Yes it's exciting for punters to watch. of course it is, they have money to gain or lose...And how we have the cheek to criticise bullfighting when this happens in our country.. The bull at least has a chance to gore his tormenter to death...though that should be banned too.. Any sport that involves cruelty harms not only the animal but the human being who perpetrates the torture...He or she is short on humanity...

In my mind there is no question about reform - this barbaric blood sport, because that's all it is, must stop. Why do we purport to be a nation of animal lovers when we continue to glamourise this hellish event - could it be because of the revenue it raises for owners, bookies and punters alike. It's been said previously, but it is akin to bull fighting and every single person who takes part in this by entering a sweepstake or placing a bet has blood on their hands. Lets take some real action now and stop faffing about!!

My husband and I think it is barbaric how the Grand National is allowed to continue it is so cruel and the horses have no say in what happens to them.

This race should be banned and I suggest that those who support it should run the race themselves.The jockey has the choice of whether he wants to ride,the horse doesn't. How an owner can put a beautiful creature like a horse into such a race is beyond me-----this race should and must be stopped.

It's about time we had a more responsible attitude towards racing and other leisure pursuits using animals. It's about time the money-grabbing mob were challenged and this kind of event was banned. While we are at it, the abuse of race horses generally is appalling. I understand they are just sold as dog meat if they don't perform and what an unnatural life for the animal anyway. It is barbaric to put a year-old animal through such stress too. Their bodies are being horribly abused.

What can we do to make this the last year ever for this embarassing 'National' spectacle. Enough horses have now died in fear and pain. Personally I'd simply ban it but realisticly there is too much money involved to allow this to happen. What could happen is that the race is made safer, fewer participants smaller jumps shorter distance, perhaps other things, I'm no expert. Does the audience, financial take and betting really rely on the prospect of frightened horses dieing in pain to ensure maximum financial gain? Surely the Nation isn't as sick as this?

Sadly it will take more serious accidents of Jockeys to get anything like a ban... it seems to the horse world that these beautiful creatures are expendable - otherwise they would not race them for fear of loosing them... It's about the money not the horse - dont let people tell us anything else!

@Nicola: Lowering the fences wouldn't speed the race up, it would simply alter the height the horses have to fall from. Lower fences would allow the horses to maintain a horizontal momentum, rather than have that exchanged to a vertical momentum. If you jump over something low, it has far less impact and strain on your legs, than dropping from 6 foot. Your legs are less likely to buckle as less wieght it being directed downwards. To be honest, showjumping is as bad, because they force horses to jump higher, and with similar consequences. http://www.metro.co.uk/news/372564-zara-injured-as-horse-dies-in-fall @the topic in question: We cannot keep forcing animals to risk their life for our enjoyment... unless you can honestly say that watching animals risk their life, is enjoyable. If we jump beyond our limits, it hurts, and we stop. The only way people seem to accept a horse has jumped beyond its limits, is when it falls and dies. That's unacceptable in a civilised society... if that is what we really are of course.

ALL RACING WITH JUMPS MUST BE BANNED !!! THE AMOUNT OF HORSES BEING ABANDONED AND WAITING TO BE RESCUED IN THE UK IS RISING. THE RESCUE CHARITIES ARE FULL OF UNWANTED HORSES. THE RACING INDUSTRY HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR !!!

BAN IT!!!!!!

I couldnt bring myself to watch as nearly every year something happens, its bad enough watching the jockeys with the crops never mind the height of the fences I think it should have better measures in place, no crops, no high fences and a shorter distance to run.

It is barbaric, why does the jockey need the whip if the horse is 'lovin' it? It should be banned, gambling is just a human pleasure and encourages greed ,therefore it should not include the use of animals.

The dangerous jumps should be changed to safe level. It is really a terrible" sport" and it is all about money, not for the love of horses, this is so wrong.

BAN this race & all races, whatever the animal involved. We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, I see no love in these peoples eyes, just £ signs. Disgraceful, disgusting, barbaric.

I think the momentum of public outrage has to be maintained. If not, the events of last Saturday will soon be forgotten and horses will continue to die until this 'sport' is banned forever. I hope the League can keep up the pressure - good luck.

This has been going on for years and nothing has ever been done about it. Why? Because it is all about money and nobody in authority really cares about the welfare of the horses. Why doesn't the RSPCA stand up and deplore the cruelty? Isn't that what they are supposed to be about or do they worry about losing the 'R' part of their name?

The Grand National is a barbaric cruel race -------- all jumping races Must be banned.

Im unfortunate to be related to an acclaimed jockey. I have been shot down in arguments by him about this for years - Ive questioned the internally damaged organs of the horses, the externally wrecked limbs and the humiliation of being ridden to their deaths. I am not a supporter of the Royal Family either as they promote this 'royal sport of kings' - isnt it time living beings took precedence over greed and 'sport' arranged by the greedy in our society? Its barbaric, antiquated and damaging to the lives of animals and to the psyche of society. ps. I formally disown myself from that jockey - Christmas cards are REALLY out from now on!

I have been saddened by his event for many years. It seems very difficult for some people to "get it" when it comes to animals. However because a man has now been injured so attention is given, perhaps those animals that suffered will not have suffered in vain. Set the example & STOP gambling.

ban it

I agree that it takes a human injury to get the debate going about society's use and abuse of animals in sport. I really hope that all people who feel dismayed by what has happened at the Grand National will broaden their thinking to other horse sports AND Greyhound racing- we do have a rescue greyhound. Dogs and horses would choose a peaceful life without fear and pain, just as the majority of people would.

BAN IT!!!!!

The racing industry breeds too many TBs. Those that don't make the grade are shot or "gifted" if they can't be sold on. I know, I see enough of them round here. Horsey ladies like to own TBs but they are finicky horses to own (we have a gypsy cob, looked down on by the horsey lot, but a comparatively easy horse to own). Tbs go lame as soon as look at them, collapse if left out in bad weather and need all manner of extra feed supplements. In "hard times" there are going to be many more ex-racehorses shot. It's just the same as the greyhound racing racket. As for the excessive use of the whip; it's true, a horse that wants to work for you only needs a gentle tap on the bum to be encouraged. All sports based on gambling are "rackets". time to impose some limits on the animal abuse and the gambling.

I'm usually totally on message with LACS, but on this one I disagree with a ban, although I support greater legislation. I think the race should continue, but with more safety restrictions imposed, such as a shorter race with less runners and smaller fences. I actually work in a betting shop, while being totally for animal welfare and against hunting and other blood sports. I'm not writing this on their behalf, these are just my personal feelings. I am not generally interested in animal racing, and the Grand National is about the only race that I make a point of watching, as I grew up with it and it gets everybody's interest. While I think any animal dying young is a tragedy, and horses don't volunteer to race, they obviously enjoy it, and get treated like royalty while alive. The jockey that was injured did volunteer, and it's the same for people who race cars and bikes or box. I think a lot of horses would also volunteer to live and race in that way if given the chance as humans are. Compare that to many horses' lives, where they are bred for food or lives of toil and drudgery, and I think there are more important animal welfare issues than banning horse racing, although as I said before, racing should have as many safety considerations as possible.

It's barbaric that we still have this race. People always point out that jockeys get hurt as well as the horses, but the horses have no choice about competing, whereas the jockeys do. It should have been banned many years ago.

I whole heartedly agree with most of what everybody here has already said in fact I would like to see the end of all animal sports as they all leave a blood stained trail. In show jumping and cross county eventing (as someone has already said) horses suffer some horrendous injuries and face death every time they go round a course and not only this those that become too old or don’t make the grade are not even given the dignity of retirement or looked after, no they are usually destroyed as money can be got for their flesh. The same scenario is reflected in dog racing. Motor racing drivers, jockeys etc know the risks and do the job to get paid, animas have no choice in the matter and are abused because they can’t speak in a language that money grabbing humans can understand.

It is said that a sport is when both sides know they are in the game......The Grand National and other animal spectacles cannot therefore be classed as sport at all. It is a terrible thing when people who say that they like animals throw all moral judgement out the window and lay bets on this dreadful race, just because of the hype. I spoke to someone the other day, who said "I don't feel bad because there is nothing I can do about it" my answer to that is, we are all responsible for what we allow to happen, if we do nothing and say nothing. At the very least the Grand National should be regulated by people who do not stand to profit, the race should be made safer and shorter and owners for racing horses and racing dogs alike, should be held more accountable for the animals welfare after retirement or injury. When will we stop allowing our animals to become a throwaway commodity.......the first and relatively painless step, surely is to boycott this particular race.

One more instance of man using our beautiful animals for his own gain and greed. ALL racing involving animals should be banned. Let the men who want to bet, get out and run themselves into the ground.

I agree with everything that Stephanie Atkin has written. Enough is enough. Please prevent the death of any more animals and stop the Grand National!

Yes we've had the same public outcry in Australia about this issue. I've signed the online petition at Animals Australia. There needs to be action taken to protect these horses who are at high risk of injury or death in this sport.

Please ban this barbaric sport.

The Grand National should be made safe for the horses as well as the jockeys. The word bloodsport comes to mind. not just horse racing but greyhound racing as well seven greyhounds die pr week at those tracks. the long straights and too sharp bends run at high speed is a killer this should have been stopped a long time ago. Instead we hear of abandoned and abused greyhounds found running in the streets or found shot somewhere with their ears hacked of. This is barbaric and it must be stopped. The overbreeding and senseless killing of both horses and greyhounds must end. Please consider both horses and greyhounds. That has not realy been done before but it should be done now.Sincerly Lisbeth Mønsted Larsen Greyhound Action Denmark.

I fail to comprehend how this is allowed to happen year after year. It's time we prioritized animal welfare and not just personnal gain and so called entertainment. I'm extremely surprised that this race is allowed to take place and that so many people continue to support it without seemingly any regard for the horses. I dread this race every year knowing what's going to happen and will continue to boycott it. I have very little sympathy for the jockey, he knew the risks and chose to take part, the horses didn't. Very sad over Ornais and Dooney's Gate.

The RSPCA and other groups have been trying to ban the Grand National for many years. This is nothing new. The only difference I can see now is that more people are aware of the cruelty and needless deaths of these creatures in the name of sport. I hope now the League and the RSPCA will get more support in ending this once and for all. But it will not be easy. We have seen that with the fight against fox hunting with dogs. We must fight on.

It's a terrible race; why so many people watch it is beyond me. As one of the people above says - how can we abhor bullfighting when we have carnage of our own? Let's stop this awful race NOW. L Morris

This needs to be banned along with all the rest of the racing of horses and also greyhounds , why should any animal be forced into doing something they can't speak to tell us yes or no so greedy humans come up with the theory that they enjoy it jus to Try and ease their own concionse, something needs to be done and done now before another animal looses its life , another bug of mine being the major supermarkets one of which I work for are still even though it has been proven that they're quality is far from as good allowed to sell battery eggs, can we do anything to stop this, one voice is not enough , we need everyone who feels this way to unite on this and start applying some real pressure

I agree with most of what has been said above, horse racing is a sport for monetary gain and glory, especially races such as the Grand National. It should be boycotted and not glamorised when it is actually no more than animal abuse. I always tell people the facts when they run the sweepstakes at work but unfortunately it falls on deaf ears and until people start to sit up and listen and indeed care about the way in which we treat animals in this country, what hope is there for the rest of the world and cruel sports?

Whilst I agree that the Grand National should be banned I think we need to look further than this. I believe that Cheltenham is the worst race course and that the deaths on this track have been as bad if not worse than Aintree. I used to watch horse racing in my teens and was absolutely mad on the horses involved. Some of the horrendous deaths at other meets have been equally as sickening as those of the national. If my information is correct the fences at other race tracks including Cheltenham have a solid pole across the top and then covered in bush. This means that the horse would fall even if it just clipped the top. The GN fences I do believe do not have the pole hence the horses can plough through them. This does not mean they are safe by any means and it is not done for the sake of the horses but because the GN fences are not permanent, unlike other tracks. You also have to look at the betting on the two horses that died - they were both outsiders and basically had no chance unless the fancied favourites came a cropper. These two horses were put in on a pure chance - in affect 'cannon fodder'. Poor sods they never stood a real chance.

The industry as a whole is corrupt beyond measure and as has been pointed out above, is designed purely to make money. The industry is aware of the poor perception the public has of it, mostly from the perspective of animal welfare, and has set up a number of registerd charity based organisations across the country to allegedly rehome retired race horses. Have a look at Moorcroft racehorse welfare centre online and it looks fantastic. The reality is that the horses there seldom get rehomed and are ultimately put to sleep to make space for new animals. Horse passports are modified ( an illegal practice ) and the animals spend huge amounts of time on " bute ", an equine painkiller, to make them more docile. I have first hand experience of this disgusting practice. Whilst racing, the animals are generally well looked after ( they are an investment, after all, for the owner ) but practices such as pin firing and bar firing ( designed to create scar tissue on tendons to increase the strength of them, to lessen the potential for injury ) are common. The League would do well to expose that side of racing, the sham of aftercare. My thoughts? making the races less arduous for the animals would obviously help, but ultimately human greed will prevail. Makes me sick.

Every single 'sport' involving animals should be banned - including displays of caricatures of original animals, such as Crufts. I despair of the Human Race. It is totally destructive and has no place on such a beautiful planet; or anywhere else in the Universe.

Ban all 'horse racing' let's have 'human racing' instead. Humans have a choice - horses don't!!!

All sports that use animals for entertainment should be banned. The deaths at Aintree of Dooneys Gate and Ornais was sickening, followed soon after by two more horse deaths, Regal Heights and Minella Four Star when they collapsed and died after the Scottish Grand National. Hurdles should be banned - horse racing and greyhound racing should be banned and the lady who commented that if hurdles were abolished racing would speed up and become more dangerous is absolute rubbish. She is simple relaying what one of the trainers said. Horseracing is full of greed and cruelty - that's why it's called the sport of kings!

Half the problem is money and the other half is snobbery. La-de-da, upper class toffee nosed pratts exploiting the animals like a Roman Emporer would slaves. what are we up to now, 35, 36 dead since 2000 ? If that was the jockeys, 2 or 3 a year dying the health and safety of the race would have been questioned years ago. What truly truly annoys me is the social structure we have in this country lets the people resonsible off when lower classes would have been prossecuted. A generic, but familiar example would be: disabled pensioner, owning a cat on only benefit money. No vaccinations, cheapest cat food on the market and it becomes ill, even though she feeds it and puts it by the fire, the news reports how irrisponsible it is and bans her from keeping animals. As long as you have money and make money these upper class idiots are actually putting their animals in life threatening situations deliberately for monitary gain and nothing is done about it. It's animal abuse far and above anything a low income family would do to their animals. I go in Pets at Home often and even the lowest paid will buy a new bowl or collar, fluffy beds etc for their animals. I don't see any of them buying a whip to beat their animal or get paying spectators to cough up hard cash to watch their cat jump out a 4th floorwindow for entertainment then shrung as if 'oh well' when it snaps it's spine in the fall. Money doesn't make it right. Whatever religion you may be, Bhuddist, Christian etc, the people respected in the world never had money. Gaddaffi, Hitler, Saddam Hussein had money, does that make them better than anyone else? no! It's about time these race organsiers and horse owners faced their responsibilitys and paid for their actions. The posh clothes, pagentry, money changing hands is just a mask, at the end of the day for over a decade horses have been killed in the Grand National every year..it ALWAYS happens. To put a fancy front on it and make it look upper crust is frankly like polishing a turd. No matter how fancy it looks it's still sh*t and it's about time this fake, phoney masqueraded animal slaughter was either banned completely or reformed to stop the deaths every year.

By its very nature this annual abomination in the name of sport is a blood sport. Owners, trainers, jockeys and punters should examine their consciences, accept that there are limits of endurance for these beautiful, brave animals and modify this race without delay. Shame on every individual involved.

i find it quite sad and just a way of making cash quick.it is unfair on the welfair of the horses and i wish people would understand how cruel it actually can be.

The horses do love it, they would refuse to race if they did'nt and anyone who has worked with horses will know you cant make them do something they dont want to. The whips jockeys carry now are padded to stop horses being injured but there are still restrictions against excessive force and frequency of use. Those who have already stated that lowering fences and shortening the distance would only make the race faster and more dangerous are absolutley right, although i do agree the number of runners could be lowered. Having read through these comments I find it disguting that people who clearly know nothing about the life and psychie of race horses can be so adamant that they know whats best, I have seen commentss saying "leave these beautiful creatures alone" alone to do what? wander round the streets? If it was'nt for racing they wouldnt have a life at all, and make no mistake these animals are loved and cherished throughout their careers.

For the love of God, keep wrtinig these articles.