THE BBC HAVE QUITE RIGHTLY TAKEN a lot of stick over their covering-up of certain incidents that occurred during the running of yesterday’s Grand National at Aintree.
Two horses died during the race, bringing the total to 20 since 2000, according to Animal Aid. Ornais broke his neck, while Dooneys Gate broke his back. Tarpaulin was with embarrassing haste brought on to cover the wretched animals, and for the first time in the race’s history, the jockey’s were forced to circumnavigate a fence on the second circuit of the race because of what one of the commentators described as an ‘obstacle’ preventing the horses from taking the fence - of course the impediment to race’s progress was a dead horse.
The BBC however kept the ugly secret hush-hush until some 40 minutes had elapsed after the race. By which time the main focus was on the jockey Jason Maguire and his ride Ballabriggs. But even then further embarrassment followed when Maguire received a five race ban because of over use of the whip. No wonder Ballabriggs needed several buckets of water thrown over him on his way back to the stables to keep his body cool – this was further accompanied by the necessity of giving Ballabriggs oxygen.
I know why the BBC tried to ignore these events; for to have done otherwise would have probably handed future coverage of the race over to Sky Sport. By describing two dead horses, neither of whom had had any choice regarding their participation in the race, as ‘obstacles’ hindering the race’s proper progression, was the most stupid of euphemisms to apply in order to merely varnish over the embarrassing reality.
It was the kind amateurishly enacted spin of the kind deployed by Col. Gadaffi in order to distract the public from his brutal reality.
As I wrote above, some 20 horses have failed the test of Aintree by dying since 2000. It now averages two horses per showing of the event. These are not isolated incidents and cannot be dismissed as such. Over the past 10 years, such a pattern of death among the horses participating in the Grand National should be the cause for a great deal of concern and reflection by the racing authorities – and not, as the BBC attempted to do, become a reason for covering-up.
I NO LONGER WATCH THIS EVENT. But there was a time when my father, whose only real pleasure in life was the racing form and his sixpenny bets, let my brother and I pick a horse from the Grand National. This race was seen, like Christmas and Easter, as part of the yearly ritual for us. As for most people in the country, the Grand National was when people who never bet on a horse, did so.
In 1964, I picked a little horse called Team Spirit ridden by Fuke Walwyn. It came in first, and I won a few shillings. My father died the following February when I was approaching my 15th birthday and this put an end to a family tradition.
My father’s death did not stop me watching the Grand National however. I watched Red Rum between 1973-77 win three times, and it was his character and personality, rather than that of his jockeys, Brian Fletcher and Tommy Stack, that impressed me as well as the public. Red Rum’s impact on the public conscience was so great that Aintree commissioned a bronze statue to the great horse.
Now, when you start to spend thousands of pounds on creating a statue of a horse in tribute to its accomplishments, then by doing so you also acknowledge that these animals deserve better than being referred to by a here today and gone tomorrow commentator, as an ‘obstacle’ to the public’s enjoyment of the race.
I NOW BELIEVE THAT this race has become too dangerous and is in danger of becoming a modern Roman Circus where life is secondary to the excitement and pleasure of those paying to watch it. There is little the racing authorities can do to prevent such casualties among the horses, apart from lowering the fences to such an extent that the Grand National becomes just another national hunt meet. The Grand National’s prestige is built upon the demanding nature of the hurdles the horses are driven to jump; and for the authorities to claim, as they probably will after this latest tragedy, that more can be done short of such a major overhaul to improve the safety record of the event, is mere sophistry.
When I was a child, I cannot remember a tarpaulin covered horse lying dead on the Aintree course. Perhaps then it was expected of the broadcaster to keep hidden such an occurrence considering the family nature of this yearly event. But today the public will not tolerate such concealment.
ALL RACE HORSES, whether racing on the flat or over fences, have been bread for the purpose and enjoy the experience. They know of no other life and no doubt would have not wanted any other life having experienced the one they were bred for.
But the Grand National has no equivalent throughout the world. The horses perform, as they must, in this event, regardless of their fate.
The horses are given obstacles that exceed those given to them in any other race; the horses are racing over a course that will challenge their ability but once. The Grand National is an aberration not an everyday experience for the horses.
I find it deeply disturbing that a horse can be subjected to such a test as the Grand National. Each year the BBC in its build up, shows us the punishment the horses are about to be put through.
Beeches Brook intimidates, and the BBC commentator stands with the Brook towering above him, to give fair warning of what these horses will be facing.
I do not believe that this circus should continue. Yesterday two horses met their fate, as did 18 others over the past 11 years. Next year, more through luck and nothing more, every entrant may be left alive; but purely through luck. For the course they will be sent to overcome will test not only themselves, but also their jockeys.
For what hand if any, have the jockey’s themselves had in the destruction of their mounts during this event? Did ambition overcome compassion? The rewards are truly great for the winner of this event.
The Grand National will, like the ancient Roman Circus, survive until the nation that allowed it to continue declines. Which may be many years from now; but considering the way of the world today, I doubt it will remain beyond the second half of this century. But by then the baby will have been thrown out with the bath water and all forms of horse racing will face abandonment by those in the future who exaggerate and overplay my own position and wish to abandon every aspect of the sport of horse racing – truly the sport of Kings and proletariat.
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