UK
Third racehorse dies during Grand National meeting - as 118 arrested over protests before eventProtesters from animal rights organisation Animal Rising breached the racecourse after climbing over security fences - while three racehorses in total have died during the three-day festival this year.
Lauren Russell
News reporter @laurenvrussell
Sunday 16 April 2023
Grand National protesters breach security fences
A third racehorse has died during this year's Grand National meeting and a total of 118 people have been arrested over animal welfare protests in the lead up to the event.
Earlier, the Grand National race had to be delayed after a large number of protesters attempted to gain entry to the track.
The race started at 5.27pm (instead of 5.15pm) after around 15 Animal Rising demonstrators were reported to have been on the track, with at least two affixing themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices, according to the climate and animal rights group.
A third racehorse has died during this year's Grand National meeting and a total of 118 people have been arrested over animal welfare protests in the lead up to the event.
Earlier, the Grand National race had to be delayed after a large number of protesters attempted to gain entry to the track.
The race started at 5.27pm (instead of 5.15pm) after around 15 Animal Rising demonstrators were reported to have been on the track, with at least two affixing themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices, according to the climate and animal rights group.
Animal Rising activists attempting to invade the race course
The disruption was followed by racehorse Hill Sixteen suffering a fatal fall at the first fence, according to Sky Sports News. According to the animal rights group, this is what the protest was trying to stop.
Another horse, Dark Raven, also died after racing earlier on Saturday afternoon and Envoye Special died on Thursday, during the first day of the three-day festival.
"There were significant numbers [of arrests]. I can confirm a total of 118 people have been arrested today in relation to both criminal damage and public nuisance offences," Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said.
The total includes arrests made before the race started and those who glued themselves to the M57 carriageway, which caused traffic delays for more than an hour.
The police added that they "respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behaviour and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly".
The disruption was followed by racehorse Hill Sixteen suffering a fatal fall at the first fence, according to Sky Sports News. According to the animal rights group, this is what the protest was trying to stop.
Another horse, Dark Raven, also died after racing earlier on Saturday afternoon and Envoye Special died on Thursday, during the first day of the three-day festival.
"There were significant numbers [of arrests]. I can confirm a total of 118 people have been arrested today in relation to both criminal damage and public nuisance offences," Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said.
The total includes arrests made before the race started and those who glued themselves to the M57 carriageway, which caused traffic delays for more than an hour.
The police added that they "respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behaviour and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly".
Dozens were arrested at the racetrack on Saturday
Student Sarah McCaffrey, who was one of those disrupting the track, said: "I know everyone coming to Aintree to view the races today would say they love the horses; however, the suffering experienced by them should shock us all.
"That's why I've decided to put my body between those horses and death on the racecourse, rather than gamble with their lives."
When the race got under way it was Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox and trained by Lucinda Russell, that stormed to victory to win the race, which lasted around 10 minutes.
Student Sarah McCaffrey, who was one of those disrupting the track, said: "I know everyone coming to Aintree to view the races today would say they love the horses; however, the suffering experienced by them should shock us all.
"That's why I've decided to put my body between those horses and death on the racecourse, rather than gamble with their lives."
When the race got under way it was Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox and trained by Lucinda Russell, that stormed to victory to win the race, which lasted around 10 minutes.
Derek Fox celebrates on Corach Rambler
"Today marks not the end, but the beginning, of the summer of Animal Rising. For us, this has been a huge success," spokesperson Orla Coghlan said.
"We will be defending animals and nature and creating an un-ignorable national conversation about our relationship to animals and the natural world."
The group said in the UK alone, 49 horses have died or been killed so far this year due to horseracing, a statistic it said was "unacceptable".
"Today marks not the end, but the beginning, of the summer of Animal Rising. For us, this has been a huge success," spokesperson Orla Coghlan said.
"We will be defending animals and nature and creating an un-ignorable national conversation about our relationship to animals and the natural world."
The group said in the UK alone, 49 horses have died or been killed so far this year due to horseracing, a statistic it said was "unacceptable".
Read more:
Animal Rising protesters say they'll try to stop Grand National
Opinion - 'I loved the Grand National until I saw what I saw'
Dickon White, who runs Aintree racecourse as North West regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said that Hill Sixteen was "immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals during the Grand National, but sadly sustained a fatal injury".
He said that two other horses, Recite A Prayer and Cape Gentleman, are under further assessment in the stables, before giving his "heartfelt condolences" to those connected to both Hill Sixteen and Dark Raven.
Grand National protester arrested
Some racegoers did not seem to notice the delay caused by the presence of protesters.
Alice Pocock, 29, from Newbury, Berkshire, said: "All my friends messaged asking if we'd seen the protesters but we didn't notice, I just wondered why the race was delayed.
"Every horse here is born and bred to race. I think the protesters are putting themselves at harm and they don't understand the racing industry."
Animal Rising protesters say they'll try to stop Grand National
Opinion - 'I loved the Grand National until I saw what I saw'
Dickon White, who runs Aintree racecourse as North West regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said that Hill Sixteen was "immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals during the Grand National, but sadly sustained a fatal injury".
He said that two other horses, Recite A Prayer and Cape Gentleman, are under further assessment in the stables, before giving his "heartfelt condolences" to those connected to both Hill Sixteen and Dark Raven.
Police stand guard around the perimeter of the racecourse.
Pic: AP
Ahead of the Grand National race, three people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, including 25-year-old spokesperson Claudia Penna Rojas.
A man and a 33-year-old woman were detained in Greater Manchester on suspicion of the same offence.
Chief Constable White said that the extensive area that the racecourse covers poses "challenges" for policing, but officers had been planning for this event for a "number of months" with a "robust plan in place".
Ahead of the Grand National race, three people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, including 25-year-old spokesperson Claudia Penna Rojas.
A man and a 33-year-old woman were detained in Greater Manchester on suspicion of the same offence.
Chief Constable White said that the extensive area that the racecourse covers poses "challenges" for policing, but officers had been planning for this event for a "number of months" with a "robust plan in place".
Grand National protester arrested
Some racegoers did not seem to notice the delay caused by the presence of protesters.
Alice Pocock, 29, from Newbury, Berkshire, said: "All my friends messaged asking if we'd seen the protesters but we didn't notice, I just wondered why the race was delayed.
"Every horse here is born and bred to race. I think the protesters are putting themselves at harm and they don't understand the racing industry."
Grand National meeting: 118 arrested over protests and third racehorse dies
Sky News
Apr 15, 2023 #grandnationalhorse #grandnationalprotest #animalrising
A third racehorse has died during the 2023 Grand National meeting and a total of 118 people have been arrested over animal welfare protests in the lead up to the event.
The Grand National race had to be delayed after a large number of protesters from the animal rights activism group, Animal Rising, attempted to gain entry to the track.
No comments:
Post a Comment