Horse Racing

Fiddler on the roof and Longhouse Poet for me.

Lester Piggott has died.

RIP

Constitution Hill a machine of a horse.

Any tips for the National today?? I'm going Le Milos!

Any tips for the National today?? I'm going Le Milos!

Love the Grand National, although I'm extremely sad to hear that two horses have already died and we've not even had the race yet 

Love the Grand National, although I'm extremely sad to hear that two horses have already died and we've not even had the race yet 

With the obvious Liverpool connection the National was always a big day in our house growing up. I have no interest in racing at all and It's fair to say I know nothing about thoroughbred horses. The protests today are valid and a genuine concern for the animals. I wonder if it might be time to reform steeplechase jumping? It seems to me too tough an ask to put horses through that degree of physical stress. I don't know the answer, but horses shouldn't be dying in pain for sport.

With the obvious Liverpool connection the National was always a big day in our house growing up. I have no interest in racing at all and It's fair to say I know nothing about thoroughbred horses. The protests today are valid and a genuine concern for the animals. I wonder if it might be time to reform steeplechase jumping? It seems to me too tough an ask to put horses through that degree of physical stress. I don't know the answer, but horses shouldn't be dying in pain for sport.

Well said.
3 deaths now.

Suppose the horse racing fraternity would claim these horses wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for racing. Not a horse racing fan. Worked on Aintree a lot of years ago and saw a lot of injured horses. One horse died, well broke it's leg and was 'put to sleep'.

Plenty want it stopped but it's part of racing and it won't be stopped by a few hundred protesters no matter how well intentioned they are.

Suppose the horse racing fraternity would claim these horses wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for racing. Not a horse racing fan. Worked on Aintree a lot of years ago and saw a lot of injured horses. One horse died, well broke it's leg and was 'put to sleep'.

Plenty want it stopped but it's part of racing and it won't be stopped by a few hundred protesters no matter how well intentioned they are.

Any sport can be dangerous at times, horse racing no exception.

Any sport can be dangerous at times, horse racing no exception.

Very very true. Nearly all sport carries some form of risk. In horse racing Jockeys get injured on a regular basis. Protesters would claim they have a choice.

Very very true. Nearly all sport carries some form of risk. In horse racing Jockeys get injured on a regular basis. Protesters would claim they have a choice.

Protesters are hypocrites & snowflakes all rolled  into one. Delaying the race doesn’t help the horses. I’m heavily involved with greyhound racing and delays really can have an adverse effects on some greyhounds. Fook the long haired louts ( protesters  ) pity a horse didn’t run into one, or even two.

National was always a big thing in my family growing up but Saturday's race was a tough watch.  Not just seeing the video of that horse that died on impact at the first fence but think it was the Canal Turn on the first lap.  Two horses careering through the crash barriers, another horse running sideways at the fence and clattering into another horse.  It was almost farcically cruel.

Wife didn't watch it and my 10 year old looked at me at the end and said 'I don't want to watch that again.'  Didn't really get any thrill from watching it which is weird as it has been a fairly big sporting occasion in my life (I've even been twice).

I don't think jump racing is under threat as there are obviously far too many vested financial interests in taking money from the poor via the gambling industry.  Classic reverse Robin Hood.  However, I do think these protests will have an effect on public opinion.  I think the peak of the Grand National's popularity days probably have passed.