Aintree Grand National

Very sad to lose 2 beautiful animals. Very impressive sidestepping, though from midnight club (ruby walsh), it has to be said, anyone else see it?! :P

Congrats to ballabriggs, but again RIP ornais and dooneys gate <3
 
From the Racing Post website:

Jockey Peter Toole, who fell on Classic Fly in the Maghull Novices' Chase earlier on the card, is being kept under sedation in hospital with possible head injuries - according to trainer Charlie Mann.
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I really hope that he makes a full recovery.
 
milesjess said:
I enjoy watching the national and it's lovely to watch the race horses who are fit, doing what they are bred and trained for.

Such a shame that two horses lost their lives and I hope they RIP :(

I certainly don't agree with people who slate the national and racing industry in general. The horses are well cared for and all those connected to them must be devastated at the loss.

As said by other posters, horses die in other disciplines and every day, but the national is so publicised that people criticise it.

It was nice to see that the deaths were acknowledged and condolences passed on.
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Couldn't have put it better myself, Milejess. Ps I would like Ballabriggs when he retires!
 
I was deeply upset by the deaths of the two horses today, but i can understand why they were referred to as 'obstacles' Families with young children will be watching, and I feel that it would be tactless for the commentator to announce 'theres a dead horse by that fence' It wasn't derogatory, it was just sensitive to the audiences watching at home.
Claire did a fantastic job of announcing the deaths-she treating their passing with respect.
Obviously the achievements of the winning horses are always overshdowed by deaths, and I felt that the BBC did a fantastic job of informing people about the tragic deaths.
 
How quickly are the commentators speaking ? I think thats a bit of a mouthful really to say 'ongoing veterinary treatment' with such a fast paced race. They were in the way, they were obstacles, the commentators reacted at short notice tactfully. Not in a derogatory manner at all.
 
Well they managed to inform us that the chequered flags where akin to those used in F1 and that they had never been used before in racing and wasn't it a good job that the design of the course now meant that avoiding the 'obstacles' was a matter of riding out to the side. So I'd say they had plenty of time.
 
I disagree - I think that very same attitude directly contributes to the ridiculous attitude a lot of people have regarding the end of a horse's life (or any animal's life for that matter)

There is a horrific, fluffy culture in the UK to sugar coat and dress up the death of an animal. Anyone watching racing with an ounce of sense, will be aware there is likely to be fatalities in some races. None more so than the National - it's the ultimate test. Unless you've been living in a cave for 20 years - you know what you are getting with the national - there are almost always fallers - fallen horses sometimes break things - broken things (necks and legs) result in dead horses.

I think if we had more reality in this world and death was less a taboo subject we'd have less people holding onto dying, neglected, in-pain animals unable to face putting them down.

I would find it completely feasible for a commentator to say "They are going round fence because of a fallen horse" - if they can't fit that in I'd be giving them the elbow personally!
 
Kitty people are going to start talking!!!
I agree with you!

It should not have been covered up. The green tarp over one was a give away to the fate of that poor creature. The second horse was screened as the runners did the second lap so at that point may have not been a fatality.

I might be a sentimental old fool but those chaps were someones pride and joy. Everyday someone got up and dedicated their time to looking after those animals.
They deserved a bit more-even in death-than to be referred to as an 'obstacle'.

Everyone one of us that watches that race knows that there is a chance not all will return. I'd also be angry if the poor old jockey that fell was referred to as an obstacle.
 
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