Is it time to talk seriously about horse racing?

The Scottish Grand National takes place later today in Ayr. After the events of last week’s Grand National at Aintree this seemed like an appropriate moment to reflect on the dangers that go in lock step with these events and horse racing in general.

Is there any other sporting event where you can almost guarantee fatalities? Two more at Aintree despite efforts to improve safety on 2023 when three died. If the shoe were on the other hoof (I know) and it was jockeys dying not horses something would have been done a very long time ago indeed. The mortality rate in horse racing is worse than boxing. If the fatality rate for Formula 1 was even close to the equine deaths at the National steeplechases it would be halted, and radical change mandated with sponsors most likely running for the hills. But not horse racing. Of course it would be a mistake to think that fatalities are limited to the National; tragedies occur throughout the year only without the publicity that the Nationals attract.

The question crystallises itself. With the money involved, the enjoyment of the day out, the champagne tents the thrill of the race, will my horse win, all of it: in short, are the equine deaths a price worth paying for the return? At present, quite morbidly, the answer appear to be yes. No one is suggesting a moratorium. No whisper of vicarious liability. If we’re saying dead horses is simply the cost of doing business then can we at least be candid enough to say it out loud. If it isn’t then we need to talk about horse racing and either ask if can be made safe, not a bit less fatal, safe. Or is it risk hard baked into the thrill that makes it an attractive spectacle just as boxing fans go along in the hopes of someone being knocked out cold.

As ever we discourage and condemn disruption tactics on the part of activists. Horse racing is dangerous enough without some clown running on the track to make matters even worse than they already are. If only we could make them see it doesn’t ‘get people talking about the issue’ (do you remember why milk was being poured out from cartons onto supermarket floors around the UK last year?), it puts equine life at greater risk and if it ‘gets people talking’ about anything it’s just how imbecilic these would-be saboteurs look.

The Scottish Grand National is in a few hours time, we’ll look on, and hope for the best.

Graeme Corbett

Campaigns Officer