Grand National Race Meeting kills two horses on second day – Animal Aid asks people not to bet on the Grand National tomorrow

The first victim of the afternoon was seven-year-old gelding Crucial Role who was destroyed after a horrific fall in a race for novice horses. Just over an hour later, eight-year-old Forest Des Aigles was seen to break a foreleg moments before jumping the final fence of the Topham Chase – a race over the infamous Grand National fences.

In addition to asking people not to bet tomorrow, Animal Aid is calling on the government to remove the British Horseracing Authority from their role as race horse welfare regulator and replace them with an independent body who will take serious action in stopping the huge annual toll of horse deaths on British racecourses.

The Grand National Meeting, which has now killed 52 horses since the year 2000, should be consigned to the history books.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘The sickening sight of two beautiful horses losing their lives at the most notorious racecourse in the world, proves yet again the brutality of horse racing. It’s time to stop this from happening. Animal Aid is asking people not to bet on the Aintree Grand National tomorrow – that is the best advice we can give people who are horrified by these deaths today.’

Editors’ Notes

• For more information contact Animal Aid on 01732 364 546