The Grand National is the most famous steeplechase in the world, with horses and riders from all over the world taking part each year. But with the course being so challenging, and the risk of injury and death to the horses so high, the question of how many dead horses Grand National has been raised on numerous occasions.
Introduction
The Grand National is a prestigious event that takes place every April at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. The event has been running since 1839 and is one of the most popular sporting events in the world, attracting millions of viewers each year. Although the event is known for its thrilling and exciting races, it also carries with it a certain amount of risk and danger, particularly for the horses.
The Grand National course is notoriously difficult, with the horses needing to complete two circuits of the track which includes several jumps and obstacles. As a result, there have been numerous reports over the years of horses being injured or even killed while competing in the race. This has led to the question of how many dead horses Grand National has had over the years, as well as whether or not the race is still safe for the horses involved.
Number of Dead Horses in Grand National
Since the first Grand National in 1839, there have been an estimated 15 horses that have died during the race. This number may be higher as there have been reports of horses that have died shortly after the race due to injuries sustained during the race.
The most recent death occurred in 2019 when the horse Up for Review fell at the sixth fence and suffered a fatal shoulder injury. This was the first death in the race since 2012 when According to Pete was fatally injured at the second last fence.
In addition to the horses that have died during the race, there have also been several horses that have been put down due to serious injuries sustained during the race. The most recent of these was in 2018 when the horse The Last Samuri broke his leg and had to be euthanized.
Safety Measures
The Grand National organizers have implemented several safety measures in recent years in an attempt to reduce the number of horses injured or killed in the race. These measures include:
• Reducing the number of runners in the race from 40 to 30.
• Adding additional fences to slow the horses down and reduce the risk of injury.
• Making the fences lower and softer, and increasing the width of the gaps between fences.
• Adding a run-in to the finish line to reduce the speed of the horses.
• Introducing veterinary inspections before the race and during the race to identify any horses that may be unfit to run.
These measures have had a positive effect on the safety of the race, with the number of horses injured or killed in recent years being significantly lower than in previous decades.
Attitudes Towards Safety
The attitude towards the safety of the horses in the Grand National has changed significantly over the years. In the past, the emphasis was on the excitement of the race and many felt that the risks taken by the horses were necessary for the spectacle.
However, in more recent times there has been a shift in attitude towards safety, with most people now recognizing that the safety of the horses must be a priority. The organizers of the race have responded to this by introducing the safety measures outlined above, as well as increasing the awareness of the risks involved in taking part in the race.
Conclusion
The Grand National is one of the most exciting and thrilling sporting events in the world and is a source of great joy for many people. However, it is also a very dangerous event for the horses involved, and the question of how many dead horses Grand National has had over the years is an important one.
Thankfully, the number of horses killed or injured in the race has decreased significantly in recent years due to the introduction of safety measures by the organizers and a change in attitude towards the safety of the horses. It is hoped that these measures will continue to ensure the safety of the horses involved in the race and prevent any more fatalities.