Grand National protestors have been warned that if their plans to ban horseracing are successful then it will create ‘the greatest equine welfare crisis since World War One’. The campaign, Animal Rising, delayed the Aintree showcase by approximately 12 minutes when storming the track to raise awareness of animal rights.
Several activists managed to make their way onto the track before 5.15pm and glued themselves to fences in hope of the race being called off. Although unsuccessful, the action has thrown racing into the public eye following three horses passing at the three-day meeting.
Animal Rising are hoping to have the sport banned entirely, though they have been warned that the outcome is far from positive by ITV journalist and horse breeder Kevin Blake. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, activist Ben Newman called for an end to the sport before being asked about how he would deal with the number of horses already in the industry.
Blake questioned: “I want to hear what the plan is. You’re leaving aside the fact that you’d be removing an industry that employs 20,000 people in rural areas. There are about 50,000 thoroughbreds in the UK right now, I want to know what Ben plans to do with them when he removes their primary purpose.”
Newman responded by stating that Animal Rising would call for the horses to stop being bred, before being interrupted: “You’ve got 50,000 to deal with, Ben. Let’s deal with them first.” The activist then suggested the use of sanctuaries to rehome the horses, though was unable to answer whether they had the capacity to facilitate a mass influx of thoroughbreds.
The Animal Rising representative continued: “It’s sad that we can’t think of a way to interact with animals that doesn’t involve exploiting them.” However, his plans to completely stop the sport were then criticised due to the effects it could have on the horses.
Blake concluded: “If this happened, it would create the greatest equine welfare crisis and tragedy since World War One because thoroughbred racehorses are not equipped to be lobbed out in the field and forgotten about. The colts would literally kill each other, these animals would get hurt very quickly and without attention, they would die slow, horrible deaths. That is the reality Animal Rising are proposing and they have not thought this through.”
The campaigners have pledged to continue raising awareness of animal welfare this summer in numerous industries, with the aim to ‘build a society that is kind to animals’. It remains to be seen whether the group targets further horseracing meetings, such as Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, further down the line.
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