BHA issue National defence

The British Horseracing Authority have hit back following the widespread criticism of Saturday's John Smith's Grand National.

Two horses, Ornais and Dooneys Gate, were fatally injured during the race prompting a number of animal-related groups to speak out against the race while the event was widely covered in the media.

However, the BHA's director of equine science and welfare, Professor Tim Morris, has underlined that the safety of horses is of paramount concern in the sport and outlined the ongoing work in that area.

He said: "Racing is a sport with risk, and the Grand National is the most testing race in Great Britain; that is why it has captured the imagination of so many for over a century.

"Racing works hard to reduce the risk. Some risk to horses is inherent in the sport, as it is to differing degrees in the life of a horse in any environment.

"Racing is open and transparent about these risks, publishes information about equine fatalities on the Authority's website, and works to further reduce these risks.

"All those involved in racing do care for their horses. At the race itself there are more than 150 specialist staff who are completely focused on making the race as safe as possible, so there is no shortage of effort or expense in this respect.

"This care and concern is why racing has for many years also worked closely with legitimate animal welfare charities, such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.

"The role of both these organisations is to be critical and raise concerns with us and, if they are not happy with the action we take, there is no doubt they would be very public about it, as anyone would expect from a legitimate animal welfare organisation.

"It is clear there are two quite distinct issues here. The first issue is how we can realistically reduce the risk in the Grand National further, and that is the job of the BHA, Animal Welfare groups and Aintree Racecourse.

"We do listen to those concerns that have been raised and will continue to strive to reduce risk, whether that is in specific relation to the Grand National or in any other race.

"The second issue is the wider ethical debate of whether it is right for humans to use animals in leisure, sport and for food."

Morris also outlined the extra measures that have been put in place at Aintree to help guard the wellbeing of the runners.

He added: "The Grand National is a difficult race and was run this year on an unseasonably warm day.

"Because of that, all the jockeys had been instructed prior to the race to dismount from their horses as soon as the race was over in order to allow the team of handlers and vets to get water to the horses so as to prevent over-heating (which is a main cause of collapse), as it is when people run and race over long distances.

"This preventative action happened to all the horses, not just the winner, and shows welfare improvements in action. No horse collapsed.

"The introduction of the run-outs, which were used for the first time this year, were introduced in 2009, the year after the horse McKelvey died.

"They were introduced after much discussion, which included the RSPCA, as a welfare measure to allow loose horses to be able to go round the obstacles, and not, as has been reported, to prevent the race from being voided. Again this is welfare in action.

"The winning jockey, Jason Maguire has been banned for exceeding the strict limits which we place on the use of the whip.

"The horse was carefully examined after the race and there is no evidence of an abuse.

"Such abuses are dealt with very seriously and, as we do at the end of every season, we will certainly be reviewing our Rules to ensure that we have the balance right between appropriate use of the whip and controlling inappropriate, unacceptable use."