From World Horse Welfare:

World Horse Welfare’s Chief Executive Roly Owers responded to the deaths at Aintree by saying that those within racing “can no longer rely on a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude and must acknowledge that the Grand National only exists with the support of the public.

“Racing must understand that the public can no longer stomach the idea of one or more deaths being regarded as normal collateral damage of this high profile race. We fully appreciate, as should everyone, that all horse sport carries risks, but there are acceptable risks and unacceptable risks and it doesn’t appear as if that balance is right in the Grand National.”

To that end World Horse Welfare rejects the comments made by winning racehorse trainer Paul Nicholls to the BBC that people ‘need to grow up’ and accept the deaths at the Grand National.

Roly Owers will be meeting with BHA chief executive Paul Bittar next week, and the Grand National will be at the top of the agenda. “We will be asking serious questions of the BHA and will also be talking to Aintree racecourse once they have completed their review. In particular, we will be asking questions about the number and nature of fallers, the number of runners, the structure of the fences and the ‘drop’ fences which have lower landings than take-offs, among other issues. Where we deem changes are necessary, we will press strongly for them.”

“As a welfare organisation that bases its policies on scientific evidence and experience, we will want to consider all the facts before making any specific conclusions. Change for the sake of change is not what is required but it is clear there is a question mark over the future of the Grand National in its current format, and the balance between acceptable and unacceptable risk in the race needs to be urgently addressed.”

World Horse Welfare advised the British Horseracing Authority on horse welfare along with the RSPCA and participated in the last review of the Grand National after which a number of changes were made to the course and procedures to improve safety and welfare. “These changes were good for horse welfare, but it appears that they may not be enough. We will do all we can to make this race safer.”

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