National shame

Besides the deaths and injuries, the beating of the horses with whips was barbaric.

The Grand National is a British National disgrace. Do you enjoy killing horses, it's all so people can bet and think they're clever if they win fifty quid and also 'cos the Queen and her daughter Princess Anne like this particular blood sport. This must be the last, make the fences half the size and make the course half the length. I bet if a couple of the jockeys got killed each year you would stop it, eh?

Isn't it interesting how in Dubai, they still race, they love their horses, but betting on it is illegal? Just a thought.

What is it going to take for horse racing and dog racing to be banned? It's well known to be so cruel to the animals. How many more have to die before people will actually stop betting on these terrible "sports"?

It's especially outrageous because the people involved claim the animals are loved and well looked after. If they truly cared they wouldn't put the horses through such an ordeal that invariably leads to serious injury and in many cases death. And then there's the fate of the countless animals considered unsuitable in the first place or worn out and therefore of no further use to their owners, only a fraction of which end up in sanctuaries. All for the sake of money. How sad.

I'm afraid to break to you all but there is not much that can be done on this matter. Making the fences smaller and the race shorter would be like any other hurdle race. The Grand National is a 'National' event, and it's increasing in popularity. As you probably heard this was the first year in a while where all tickets were sold prior to Saturday, no tickets were available on the gate! I have been fortunate enough to visit many yards, including Paul Nichols' (world famous trainer of Kauto Star, Denman and Big Bucks to name but a few), and the horses receive excellent treatment and live i'n luxury with loving care from the stable staff. This is the same at all levels, not just National Hunt but also Point to Point. When a horse has finished its career or is deemed unsuitable, it is not merely shot and put down..... where has this information come from? They are sold off to loving homes or used as bloodstock. That's the trouble with you lot, you make all these assumptions and critical comments when YOU DON'T KNOW THE REALITY! I suggest you take a visit to a stable yard or get first hand information from people who are in this business.

Does anyone else remember when one of the queens 'champions ' was found in a Belgium slaughter house?

And I suggest you have a look at some of the EVIDENCE on this and many other animal welfare websites.

I'm afraid Dominic's argument falls short. Even if we accept his highly benign interpretation, it amounts to saying that if these animals avoid an early slaughter, or abandonment, due to failing to make the grade, and then survive several years of being raced until exhaustion, beaten with a whip, and becoming injured thanks to racing before the full development of their skeletal systems, without actually being killed on track (as are about 1 horse per every 22 races), then their "retirement" of aching bones, stomach ulcers, lung problems and other afflictions caused by their years of exploitation, will at least be spent in pleasant surroundings, being cared for. He omits to mention that the primary purpose of horse racing is not animal welfare but profit. Moreover, many animals, once raced out, face death, or the dubious reprieve of being sold on to be raced in India or China, or other countries known for animal cruelty. Every year in Britain around 300 horses die on track or due to injuries sustained while racing; many more are killed inyouth or once their racing days are over. No matter how many caring staff work in luxury stables, the fact that an industry exists to extract profit from these horses via racing them is a matter of great concern. If the caring owners kept their animals to ride for pleasure, without the use of spurs or whips and not for making money, there would be little difficulty with racing, but as far as I'm concerned, I've yet to hear a single strong argument as to why people need to use other animals for sport. We have athletics, cricket, football, boxing, golf, and many many more...isn't that enough? And sorry Erica - I'm afraid horse racing in Dubai is just as bad, all the things above apply there also.

When you have been a horse that has been forced to race the grand national, fell at the jumps, been trampled on, dehydrated or dead then come on here and comment Domnic

Oh and in answer to your question Erica, betting isn't illegal as such in Dubai and the Middle East, it is Haram (illegal in Islamic law). People still bet on the racing, just using online bookies. Most Arabs have a very good relationship with animals because in the Quran it is said that animals are allowed to live alongside humans as long as they are a working animal, ie a Saluki or hawk for hunting and a horse or camel for riding and racing.

Thanks alot - your answer solved all my problems after several days struglging

I'm imprsesed! You've managed the almost impossible.