Magic, you have a point

Must say these pics are horrific

One of the posters on the newspaper article that cnc posted said ..

Jockeys have a choice, they know the risks involved, the horses don't .

How true is that , to subject them to what they are being subjected to is cruelty . Thats why I never bet or even watch jump racing .

SOME REAL shocking pictures here, makes the stomach turn.

Dont read if you are sensitive.

I remember watching a race a few years back where a horse jumped the water jump and it s back legs landed just before the ledge and probably broke the horses back. The horse was basically pulling its dragging back legs with its front legs. Horrific!

I fortunately missed the falls (deaths) yeterday but did catch the closing stages. I felt terrible for the winner as he wobbled around on his feet whilst all around him (who probably have never walked 7km's and have done nothing but collect cash) basked in some kind of crazy glory. 7200m over jumps is too far.

I really feel for all horses who are put down. We see these animals as objects rather than life. Considering we probably only have one life each, it seems a tragedy that life is so easily disposed of.

It's a blood sport, pure and simple.

Now you got At the Races trying to say that this race is fine and improvements have made quote "well the organisers have laid on more water points for the horses and also there are more medical staff" fuck off. Beechers Brooke is a jump that when the horses are in the air they only thean realise that there is a 5 foot drop on the other side of the fence.

The RSPCA should start making a bigger noise. It will probably achieve nothing, but what the hell. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Can they not at the very least greatly reduce the number of starters? It's absolute mayhem out there, and this can only add to the chances of fatal accidents occurring.

When millions of pounds are wagered and made then no matter how morally wrong it is it will stay, just like wars which are huge money spinners.

Owner Andy Stewart has hit back at criticism of Saturday's John Smith's Grand National at Aintree following the death of two horses in the race.

The Stewart-owned Ornais suffered a fatal injury when falling at the fourth fence of the world's most famous steeplechase, while the Willie Mullins-trained Dooneys Gate also lost his life when coming to grief jumping Becher's Brook first time round.

"He was a lovely horse and when you lose them, it is very sad. We all take our chances in life, horses and all animals take their chances in life. This was unfortunate, but I think the nonsense that has been written is a disgrace," said Stewart.

"Sadly, the horse fell at the fourth fence and died instantly. We're still grieving as far as that's concerned and I think this whole hyped up situation regarding the Grand National is totally wrong.

"We had Strike The Deal, who was a Flat horse with Jeremy Noseda. He unfortunately had to be put down because he was ill, but that didn't make the papers.

"We love the sport and when I get up to read the papers, I think why are people writing this nonsense? Nobody has phoned me and nobody has phoned Paul Nicholls (trainer of Ornais).

"Everybody is entitled to their point of view but as far as I'm concerned, National Hunt racing is safer and compliant with every single sport that goes along.

"My son snowboarded in France and, unfortunately, he had an accident and he'll never walk again. Why don't we just get on with it and enjoy the sport?"

Nicholls added: "It's awfully sad to lose any horse, whether it's in the Grand National or at any time at all. We'll pick ourselves up and move on - you have to. It was a great week and I have to say Aintree did a brilliant job with the track.

"I've never seen the course in such fantastic condition but unfortunately, although this is a great sport, accidents can happen. Like one paper said, it doesn't matter how safe you make the M1, the M4, the M5 or whatever, you're always going to have accidents."

Maybe he should run for 7,2km and jump the fences (Maybe somone can throw him over headfirst) - The difference is he has a choice not to. The horse did not have a choice in the matter and certainly did not freely elect to take his chances.

I wonder what the reaction would be if one of those horses had fallen ontop of a jockey,and he lost his life,would that change things????

zoro Wrote:

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> I wonder what the reaction would be if one of
> those horses had fallen ontop of a jockey,and he
> lost his life,would that change things????

you say that, there is a jockey in critical condition after he fell in an earlier race at Aintree. Seems that at this moment he has brain damage.