The shame of the Grand National a sport where particpants die

The Grand National is a UK institution but should it be? There's nothing grand about the Grand National for the horses forced to take part.

“Between 2000 and 2013, 23 horses have died on the Grand National course”
Correct as at April 4th, 2013

The Grand National is cruel and that's why an organisation like Animal Aid likened it to bullfighting and there are calls from animal charities to ban it. See the article on their site about horseracing and the Grand National.

This is what Animal Aid Director Animal Tyler said after the 2011 'event' -
 

“When horses are killed at the Grand National meeting, their deaths are not accidents but entirely predictable. The public has been conned into believing that the Grand National is a great sporting spectacle when, in reality, it is straightforward animal abuse that is on a par with Spanish bullfighting.

This race should have no future in a civilised country. The BBC deserves special condemnation for all but concealing news of the deaths. In fact, one of its commentary team described the dead horses as they lay on the course as ‘obstacles’ – which was particularly disgusting and callous.”

Unlike the horseracing industry (which has strong links with fox hunting) who continue to defend the event, Animal Aid, don’t have any hidden agenda. They simply care about animal welfare.

If there was a 100m and at the end of it Usain Bolt broke a leg or his neck and had to be shot, would they still hold that event? Of course they wouldn't, but horses are considered expendable.

Here's another piece written by a vet who wants the Grand National banned.

FACT - In April 4th, 2013, the first day on the Grand National course, which has undergone what have been described as major safety improvements, claimed an equine victim, when 11-year-old Battlefront collapsed and died with a suspected heart attack.
 
He was being ridden by Katie Walsh, who earlier this week triggered controversy when she seemed to trivialise the deaths of horses on racecourses ("These things happen, and they’re horses at the end of the day.’) and claimed that race horses are looked after ‘better than some children."

In response to that I'd like to say I hope this lady doesn't have children.

If you're thinking of betting on the Grand National this weekend, please think of the horses and don't.