BBC row after two horses die in Grand National

[Lars77]

Source: The First Post

"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."

Read more: http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/77506,news-comment,news-politics,bbc-animal-cruelty-row-two-horses-die-in-grand-national-ballabriggs-dooneys-gate-ornais

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Never mind, let's go off to the Fox Hunt!

[Divernan]

1. Fears immediately after race that other horses would collapse in unusually hot weather.

"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 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."
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These horses are magnificent animals who will literally run themselves to death if encouraged to do so by their riders/trainers/owners. It's all about the very lucrative stud fees for the winner.

[jerseyjack]

2. ... and after they lose,

they end up sold to low rent stables, meat factories, or whatever. There was the story last year about a Kentucky Derby winner that was rescued from being sold to a butcher in France.

Also, the documentary about the losing greyhounds that were killed and piled on wagons to be sent to the dump.

[Auntie Bush]

3. I'm surprised they weren't referred to as collateral damage.

This story makes me sick. There needs to be some rules as to when and if they can run. Obviously it was too damn hot.

Mankind can be so mean, greedy, thoughtless and down right disgusting.

[PavePusher]

5. The horse deaths had nothing to do with the heat...

The temperature isn't even mentioned in the O.P. article. Even in very mild temperatures race horses can become overheated in all-out competition. This is not particularly uncommon, and no different from human atheletes cooling themselves after strenuous exertion.

[Divernan]

4. One of my adult daughters rescued a thoroughbred; she's training him as a dressage horse

He was a briefly a school horse at a suburban stable but was too much of a handful for the tweens/teens and a new owner was about to sell him for dogfood. He's a sweet animal, but just has no burning desire to race. The only time we've seen him run full out is when he's spotted her across the field, with a bag of carrots in her hand!

[KurtNYC]

6. Did the "tarp" and "screens" say 'Property of BBC' ?

Obviously the track, or race, has that stuff handy if they can get it in place between laps.

[riderinthestorm]

7. As a professional in this business, I concur, horse will run their heart out

and die for the people they love.

The people who love them need to be compassionate enough to pull out of the race.

If enough owners, riders, trainers pulled together to say that this day, this race, this competition is too tough and we're not participating... then the race/event/competition would be stopped. Unfortunately you always have that percentage of greedy people who can't take notice of what's best for the horse....

:cry: I don't like it. It reflects badly on my sport where virtually everyone involved really does care. But to ignore that greed plays a small part in ANY animal sports is naive.