Posted by thewestcoastipster.com on Sunday, April 15, 2012 Under: Racing
The doom mongers are out in force as usual to complain about the 'cruel' Grand National. It seems that every year without fail these people can't wait to voice their concerns about the safety of the horses in the world's greatest horse race. Safety is paramount in any sport or activity. However, in all sports and everyday activities we undertake, there is a balance of risk against benefit. The Grand National and jumps racing in general will always have issues with 'risk' and will never be risk free the obstacles and the nature of racing at high speeds over these obstacles is fraught with danger. Commendation must go out to the trainers who skilfully train these horse's to perform the task of jumping obstacles at speed and also to the jockeys who put their bodies 'on the line' not just in racing but in the schooling session's that enable the horses to reach the required standard that allow them to race. The only alteration I would make to the great race is to review the numbers. The Topham and Foxhunter's run over the same fences doesn't see the same amount of fatalities as these races have only 26 runners.
One curiosity is to equate "The Grand National and jumps racing in general" when one appears to be about 10-20 times more likely to cause fatalities than the other.
One curiosity is to equate "The Grand National and jumps racing in general" when one appears to be about 10-20 times more likely to cause fatalities than the other.