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BBC row after two horses die in Grand National
Accusations of callous commentary after dead horses on track are referred to only as ‘obstacles’
Yesterday's Grand National at Aintree was marred by the deaths mid-race of two horses, Ornais and Dooneys Gate. For the first time in the National's history, two jumps had to be bypassed on the second lap of the gruelling circuit because the fallen horses could not be removed in time.
Nine-year-old Ornais broke his neck at the fourth fence. Within seconds, 10-year-old Dooneys Gate broke his back when he tumbled headfirst over the notorious Becher's Brook fence.
Horses have died in the Grand National before, but rarely has it been so apparent to the millions watching on television.
Adding to the controversy, the BBC has been accused of "covering up" the deaths. As the galloping pack ran past the two horses on the second circuit - one covered in tarpaulin, the other surrounded by screens - the race commentator referred merely to "obstacles" in their path rather than saying clearly what had happened.
Only after the race was finished, and the happy story of how the winner Ballabriggs had been trained by Donald McCain, son of Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain, did the BBC's race presenter Clare Balding address the matter of the "obstacles".
She told viewers there had been two "equine fatalities" and that everyone's thoughts would be with the stable hands who would not be seeing the stricken horses again.
Animal rights campaigners were quick to condemn the "ritual cruelty" of the Grand National and the BBC's "insensitive" coverage.
Andrew Tyler from Animal Aid said the National "should have no future in a civilised country. It is particularly callous and disgusting that a member of the commentary team should describe the dead horses as they lay on the course as an obstacle".
Tony Moore, chairman of the Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe, said: "If they really care about horses, why do owners, jockeys and trainers put them through the ordeal? These deaths are not only sad, they are inevitable."
The BBC responded to the criticism, saying it was "aware of the unfortunate events of the two fatalities" and that "during the race and the re-run this was covered with as much sensitivity as possible".
There were fears immediately after the race that other horses might collapse in the unusually hot weather.
The victorious jockey Jason Maguire, winning the National for the first time, had to enter the winners enclosure on foot while TV viewers watched stable hands desperately throwing buckets of water over Ballabriggs to cool him down.
There was also concern for Don't Push It, who won the race last year and came in third yesterday. Jockey Tony McCoy also immediately dismounted at the end of the race so his horse could be tended to. Both Ballabriggs and Don't Push It recovered and returned to their respective stables.
The first five to come home yesterday were: 1. Ballabriggs (Jason Maguire) 14-1; 2. Oscar Time (Sam Waley-Cohen) 14-1; 3. Don't Push It (Tony McCoy) 9-1; 4. State Of Play (Paul Moloney) 28-1; 5. Niche Market (Harry Skelton) 16-1.
Ballabriggs, Oscar Time and State of Play were each given four stars (likely winner) in The First Post's pre-race intelligent punter's guide. Don't Push It and Niche Market each had three stars (each-way possibility). ·
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Alistair Sampson said it all, 40 years ago:
"Today I would fain be anywhere but Aintree.
A race with features like Beachers is shocking.
And Mrs. Topham should stop'em.
I apologise to the poet if my memory is in error
These deaths are very unfortunate and perhaps avoidable, but let's put things into perspective. Where is the public outrage of thousands of horses being killed each week in France and other countries for horse meat? Where is the outrage of the thousands of PEOPLE who get killed on the roads each year, or youngsters that habitually get stabbed to death on our streets? Most people are hypocrites, or just plain dumb.
"These deaths are not only sad, they are inevitable."
This is true. Indeed it is true of all horse racing, not just the Grand National. The logical conclusion would be to ban all horse racing. This would reduce the stock of thoroughbred racehorses to a few pets and zoo exhibits. Not sure many racehorses would welcome such a prospect, however, were it possible to canvass their opinions.
Eliminating the Grand National would do nothing to resolve the dilemma. Two deaths in the same race is unfortunate, but exceptional. The race is no more, or less, dangerous than most normal National Hunt chases. Nor does it help particularly to eliminate jumps racing. Fatalities on the flat are also commonplace, though most occur in training, unobserved by TV cameras.
It is right to question what is and what is not a reasonable test for a racehorse and the adjustments made to the Aintree fences and layout in recent years testify to the care taken to ensure that the Grand National remains a fair, if extreme test.
Incidentally, expressions of concern are likely to be taken more seriously if they too are fair. There was nothing 'desperate' about the dousing of some horses after the race. That is perfectly normal, especially after a long race in exceptionally warm conditions, as any regular racegoer will testify. Likewise, jockeys usually dismount before entering the winners enclosure if they have any reason to think their horse may be injured, or even particularly fatigued. These actions should be seen for what they are - perfectly sensible, careful precautions, not signs of alarm or panic.
When ARE we going to stop this barbaric race and others like it? It's all about money and nothing about the horses or the jocky's safety. If enough people stopped betting on these races they would soon be scrapped. Next time you know what to do.