Grand National: Coach Sandy Thompson blames ‘ignorant’ protesters as BHA retracts Hale Sixteen’s death | Racing news

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Sandy Thomson’s Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal fall at the first fence in the Grand National yesterday; This came after animal rights protesters entered the racetrack, delaying the race by 15 minutes; A total of 118 cases were caught per day

By Connor Stroud

19:32, United Kingdom, Sunday 16 April 2023

Trainer Sandy Thompson blamed “ignorant” animal rights protesters for the fatal fall of the Hill Sixteen at Grand National yesterday.

The race was delayed by 15 minutes at Aintree after several protesters attempted to enter the racecourse itself and pin themselves to fences and barriers.

Merseyside Police confirmed on Sunday that a total of 118 people were arrested on 15 April. Among those arrested were men and women between the ages of 18 and 66 on suspicion of a number of offenses including conspiracy to cause public nuisance, obstruction of highways and drug possession.

Of those arrested, 65 are under arrest and are being tried and will be released on bail.

The protests delayed the race, which was won by Cyrus Rambler and jockey Derek Fox.

PHOTO: Police officers respond to Animal Rising activists trying to invade the racetrack ahead of the Randox Grand National

Hill Sixteen – trained by Thompson – had a fatal fall at the first fence, with the horse being called “excessive” by the Scottish handler over protests, resulting in the horse falling for the first time in his career.

“It’s not good,” Thompson told the Racing Post. “It got so hyper and we washed it off. They have no clue what they’re doing.”

“He didn’t take off at the first fence; he just got a little oversteer for his persistence.

“Unfortunately, it’s a statistic we all try to avoid. He’s jumped here twice and never had a hard time. I don’t know when he last fell.”

Photo: Derek Fox and Korach Rambler won the late sprint

“I know how ignorant these people are and they have no blood proof. They are causing more problems than they ever solve.”

Hill Sixteen was the third racehorse to die during the Grand National meeting, following the death of Dark Raven after racing earlier on Saturday afternoon and Special Envoy who died on Thursday, during the first day of the three-day festival.

Roli Oyers, chief executive of the charity World Horse and Care, said in a statement: “Yesterday was a very sad day.

“From Aintree to television screens all over the world, it has been difficult to watch this year’s meet. The loss of Envoye Special, Dark Raven and Hill Sixteen is heartbreaking and our condolences go out to their acquaintances who we know will be devastated.

“While it is true that accidents can happen anywhere – and risks cannot be completely eliminated – jump racing does pose specific risks that it has a responsibility to relentlessly reduce where possible.

“It is clear to us that despite the changes Aintree has made and the racing so far, there is still a lot to be done.”

Hill Sixteen had completed in both runs over the national fences previously, including when he was second in the 2021 Becher Chase.

Two other horses participating in the Grand National, Saying a Prayer and a Gentleman’s Cape, were escorted on Horse Ambulance with updates expected today.

Deacon White, Northwest Regional Director for the Jockey Club, said: “Hill Sixteen was immediately attended to by expert vets during the Grand National, but unfortunately he suffered a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his prayers.

“Say a prayer and Cape Gentleman has been evaluated by veterinary teams. Both horses have been walked aboard the Horse Ambulance for further evaluation in the stables. Further updates will be provided in due course.”

Campaign group Animal Rising said more than 40 animal rights activists who tried to enter Aintree Racecourse and delayed the start of the Grand National race were stopped.

BHA condemns the protesters at the Grand National

Britain’s horseracing authority chief executive Julie Harrington has “strongly condemned” protests that have delayed the start of the Grand National horse race, while announcing “painful” analysis to try to understand the cause of the deaths of three horses during the Aintree Festival.

Harrington said: “Our thoughts are with everyone associated with the horses who sustained fatal injuries this week. No one will be more affected by this news than the trainers, owners and stable staff who have given these horses first class care and attention throughout their lives.”

“The BHA Racecourse and Aintree will now analyze the races in minute detail, as they do every year, to build on our existing data and help us understand the cause of these accidents.

“British racing works tirelessly to improve the sport’s safety record and reduce avoidable risks. Every accident is reviewed by the BHA along with racecourse and other bodies. And as a sport, we have for years shown a great determination and commitment to improving standards of welfare by taking calculated scientific steps Evidence-based, regulatory and educational.

“Because of this, the rate of fatal injuries in sports has fallen by more than a third in the past 20 years, to 0.2 percent of runners.”

Reflecting on the protesters on the course, Harrington added: “We respect anyone’s right to hold views about our sport, but we strongly condemn the reckless and potentially harmful actions of a handful of people in disrupting racing at a time when horses are in the show ring.

“Those who participate in British racing are rightfully proud of our sport and the role it plays in providing an unparalleled quality of life for horses bred for racing. Love and respect for horses is at the heart of everything we do.

“The Grand National was and always will be an iconic sporting event and the actions of a few people will do nothing to diminish its enormous and enduring international appeal.”

“Taking action to protect animals is more important than business as usual.”

Merseyside Police arrested 118 people on Saturday after dozens of activists climbed the fences, with at least two fixing themselves to jumpers using glue and locking devices, according to the Animal Rising website.

Animal Rising spokesperson Nathan McGovern said in a statement on Sunday: “The measures that were taken at Aintree yesterday are intended to prevent damage from coming to the horses in the Grand National, where the Hill Sixteen unfortunately fell in the race itself – a death that could have been prevented if The race has not been run.

“Supporters of the Animal Rising movement do not take the risks of arrest lightly, but taking action to protect animals and nature is more important than maintaining business as usual.

“This is just the beginning of many peaceful actions to create a truly national conversation about our fractured relationship with animals and our natural world this summer, whether or not it leads to arrests.”

In a statement, PETA UK said notorious fences such as Chair, Peach’s Brook and Channel cause “horrific and often fatal injuries” almost every year.

“Every time horses are forced to jump over these very high obstacles, it puts enormous pressure on their slender front legs and they may suffer broken legs, neck and back,” she added.

“Even those who make it off the track alive are likely to suffer. Thousands of horses—including ‘depleted’ Thoroughbreds and those who don’t make the grade—are thrown away like used betting slips every year.”

Student Sarah McCaffrey, who was among those disrupting the track, said: “I know everyone who comes to Aintree to watch the races today will say they love horses; however, the suffering they go through must shock us all.

“That’s why I decided to put my body between those horses and death in the racetrack, rather than gamble with their lives.”

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