THE GRAND NATIONAL

YOU BET. THEY DIE.The Grand National isstaged at Aintree at thestart of April. The big raceis the climax of a three-daymeeting that cost the livesof 38 horses between 2000and 2012.

Many people, who wouldn’tnormally bet on horseracing, havea ‘harmless flutter’ on the GrandNational. But there is nothingharmless about a race that routinelyinflicts serious injury anddeath upon horseswho take part.

www.stopkillinghorses.com

Last year, two horses, Synchronisedand According To Pete, sufferedmassive injuries after falling duringthe Grand National and weredestroyed. In 2011, there were twomore victims when Ornais broke hisneck and Dooneys Gate sufferedspinal injuries.

In 2012, Animal Aidcommissioned an NOPopinion poll in which59 per cent whoexpressed an opinionsaid that the GrandNational is cruel.

Four horses deadin the last two years

Grand National A5 Flyer Feb 13:Grand National Leaflet 13/2/13 14:30 Page 1

Defenders of the race peddlea variety of myths in theirattempts to justify it:

The Grand National is a deliberatelypunishing and hazardous race; longerthan any other (nearly four and a halfmiles) and presenting 30 uniquelyhigh and awkward obstacles.

It features perilous drops, ditches and sharp turns.Many of the horses will have encountered nothinglike it before. Forty usually take part. This is anexcessively crowded field, which adds to the riskof collisions and falls. Only one third are likelyto finish.

If the horses didn’t like it, they wouldn’tcarry on running after their jockeysfall offHorses are herd animals. They feel saferwhen part of a group, especially in thenoisy, often unfamiliar raceday environment.

The horses enjoy the challengeThey are not equal to the challenge. Themodern industry concentrates on breedinglighter-boned, speedier animals for Flatracing. Less successful Flat racers, or thosegood at clearing fences, are consignedto jump racing. But, because they arefine-tuned for speed rather than skeletalstrength, they risk fatal injury when theyfall – a common occurrence at Aintree.

The horses are treated like kingsEvidence suggests that, every year, thousandsof horses who don’t pay their way areslaughtered for meat or killed in their yards.

Isn’t the Grand National safer now?Despite numerous ‘safety improvements’,the Grand National has become moredangerous in recent years. It has a horsefatality rate more than five times as highas other jump races in Britain.

Don’t bet on the Grand National orany races involving animals. Bettingincome and racecourse attendance feeskeep the racing industry in business.

Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Email:

�

To support Animal Aid’s work to end animal suffering, please fill in yourdetails below and we will send you a FREE information pack.

What you can do

Please return this form to: Animal Aid, The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge,Kent TN9 1AW • Tel: 01732 364546 • Email: info@animalaid.org.uk

I enclose a donation of £

Please make cheque/PO payable to Animal Aid

Please send me a FREE information pack

Grand National A5 Flyer Feb 13:Grand National Leaflet 13/2/13 14:31 Page 2