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14 Apr 12
16:53
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
Racing Post 'Sadly, Gold Cup hero Synchronised and According To Pete are reported fatalities in the Grand National'
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running synchronised was always asking for trouble, doesnt jump well enough for that race. rip.
WWCD, horses get loose before the start day in day out...if they go on to win the race, is that becuase they ran loose? no, of course, not....and nor is the fact the poor animal died in a fall 5 mins later due to it having run loose
duncan they don't have to continue to race or jump .They are not forced to do so and it is a fact that some horses love to jump fences you obviously do not have a good understanding of horses.
Winner Winner Chicken Diner
Sychronised didnt want to race, he run away and was chased back to his ultimate death
THATS A MEMORY I CAN'T ERASE, HE OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T WANT TO RACE, SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE HORSE, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BEEN AT AINTREE, WASN'T A HARD GOLD CUP RACE NOT ENOUGH ? HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT IN A FIELD ENJOYING HIMSELF AS LETS FACE IT THE HORSE MORE THAN EARNT THAT AFTER CHELTENHAM.
ITS TOO MUCH TO ASK ANY HORSE TO BACK UP IN THE NATIONAL AFTER THE GOLD CUP WHICH IS A TOUGH RACE.
Sychronised didnt want to race, he run away and was chased back to his ultimate death
THATS A MEMORY I CAN'T ERASE, HE OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T WANT TO RACE, SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE HORSE, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BEEN AT AINTREE, WASN'T A HARD GOLD CUP RACE NOT ENOUGH ? HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUT IN A FIELD ENJOYING HIMSELF AS LETS FACE IT THE HORSE MORE THAN EARNT THAT AFTER CHELTENHAM.
ITS TOO MUCH TO ASK ANY HORSE TO BACK UP IN THE NATIONAL AFTER THE GOLD CUP WHICH IS A TOUGH RACE.
R.I.P. Synchronised and According To Pete. Very sad indeed.
Ban it , its shameful` you have them silly commentators with comments like` he a lovely horse he is really enjoying him self with his ears pricked. The horse dosen`t know its got to run 4 miles an jump huge fences and get whacked on the backside during running.Then you have them greedy trainers and owners trying to defend their selfish living.BAN IT `
horses die on the flat, eventing, by cars on the road to stop all deaths of horses no one should be allowed to keep em, stop motor racing stop people driving cars they kill themselves. all life is a risk. its a sport that carries risk if you do not like it find something you do and stop bleating
Did synchronised fall again after his initial fall? I thought he got up from the initial one but i may have been mistaken? Great news that weird Al is okay, two fatalities is more than enough.
i said weeks ago greedy owners trainers syncronised did not owe anything even nicholls said his jumping was not perfect and rip acc to pete i am not a goody goody but i hate the industry even though iam part of it by being a punter
Know all, you have a choice to do what ever you like. I horse is made to run. Its simple as that.
desperate for Synchronised - continued loose and sound for 5 fences after his fall before sustaining fracture to hind leg
I didn`t read many posts on BF before the race from posters stating Synchronised wasn`t a good enough jumper for GN. Hindsight is a great thing. Like JP and JJ,
I would have run him too if I had owned him. although tbh I would have withdrawn him after he bolted. Nothing to do with money, like many stupid comments on here claim, but all about History, prestige and greatness. That`s what sports all about and how horses become legends of the turf. Cheltenham fences are just as dangerous to horse and rider. The problem with the GN, like some posters have said, is that the course has been altered far too much and runners are going too fast and there are far too many runners. Field should be a maximum of 26 runners.
Sympathy to the brave horses who died today and to connections too. RIP.
I would have run him too if I had owned him. although tbh I would have withdrawn him after he bolted. Nothing to do with money, like many stupid comments on here claim, but all about History, prestige and greatness. That`s what sports all about and how horses become legends of the turf. Cheltenham fences are just as dangerous to horse and rider. The problem with the GN, like some posters have said, is that the course has been altered far too much and runners are going too fast and there are far too many runners. Field should be a maximum of 26 runners.
Sympathy to the brave horses who died today and to connections too. RIP.
themightymac, noting to do with money , what planet have teleported from , the whole game is based on greed.
Nom nom nom, the dogs will be dining on fine horse meat tonight.
some people are `overlooking the fact` that horses do not have a choice. regards of all the clever talk about fences.
The betting side definitely and we contribute to that. JP doesn`t need money and most horse owners dream of the prestige of winning big races. Most want the glory, not the cash.
i bet , so i contribute to it all. I think the connections of the winners would have something to say if you took the prize money away from them, and said you getting the glory sorry .
Heartily sick of hearing how those in the NH game love their horses. They might love racing them but that is another thing altogether. You don't send something you love into such a high risk situation such as jumping fences. Racing and especially NH treat horses as tools that are expendable. End of story.
@Eeeyore:
"What about the horses that fall and carry on jumping the fences ??? They don't have to continue jumping some horses love it".
I was waiting for some prat to say this. FYI THEY'RE HERD ANIMALS SIMPLY STICKING WITH OTHER HORSES.
"What about the horses that fall and carry on jumping the fences ??? They don't have to continue jumping some horses love it".
I was waiting for some prat to say this. FYI THEY'RE HERD ANIMALS SIMPLY STICKING WITH OTHER HORSES.
I said to me mate Synchronised is too small for Aintree and hoped he never ended up a fatality. We were both on him in the GC. My blood ran cold when I heard the screen were up for him, and I'm sickened that he's gone. It was greedy decision, and I'm not saying this in hindsight, as I thought it was a distinct possibilty on this ground that if he took a bad fall, it could kill him.
they may like jumping ` but don`t forget they havn`t got a 10 stone lump on the horses back smacking it with a whip .
Apr 14, 2012 -- 6:35PM, A_T wrote:
Heartily sick of hearing how those in the NH game love their horses. They might love racing them but that is another thing altogether. You don't send something you love into such a high risk situation such as jumping fences. Racing and especially NH treat horses as tools that are expendable. End of story.
It's why many love it. I think it's bourne out of guilt.
terrytp
if you do not like the sport then do not bet you are part of the deaths and you are betting on it and supporting it
if you do not like the sport then do not bet you are part of the deaths and you are betting on it and supporting it
terrytp
if you do not like the sport then do not bet you are part of the deaths and you are betting on it and supporting it
if you do not like the sport then do not bet you are part of the deaths and you are betting on it and supporting it
It never seems to have effected me before when horses have paid the ultimate price in this race or any other but for some reason this time I'm genuinely sad. Maybe it's all the coverage According to Pete got on the BBC with the interviews with the owner / breeder and family who clearly adored the horse or maybe it's the tragic nature that they lost their lives (being brought down and running on riderless only to subsequently hurt himself) or maybe it's the fact one is a Gold Cup winner.
I love racing and hope to have my first runner that I breed next year, this just reminds me of everything that can go wrong.
RIP Synchronised & According to Pete you heroes of the turf and my sincere condolences to connections.
I love racing and hope to have my first runner that I breed next year, this just reminds me of everything that can go wrong.
RIP Synchronised & According to Pete you heroes of the turf and my sincere condolences to connections.
There's an awful lot of knee-jerk comment on here, regarding what is a very emotive subject. I'm a huge fan of the race, and National Hunt racing in general, but I have to admit that days like today test my faith. I remember feeling much the same as the day that 4 were lost at Cheltenham in 1996, including Draborgie. Ultimately though, and it's personal opinion I know, I don't think jump racing is wrong. Accidents can happen in NH at any time, but the difference is that the National is the day when the world's eyes are on the sport.
Synchronised did indeed get up from Bechers without a problem. He then carried on doing what he was bred to do and enjoyed doing (whatever anyone says about the way he looked at the first fence) - jumping. I think it was the fence after Valentines when he landed and there was a clearly a problem. By the way he skewed over the fence, he may even have taken a false step before it (as Garde Champetre and Scots Irish did at Cheltenham). That happens on the racecourse, and it happens in fields. As for poor old According To Pete, he too paid the price for simply being unlucky.
There's been two points made so far that sum it up for me:
1. The people that look after the horses every day love them more than any uninitiated person who is anti the sport.
2. If you ban the National, surely you need to remove the risk completely and ban all equine sports?
One point that's not been made is that the most bone-crunching fall we saw today was Zarkandar, in a hurdle race. Where was that on the BBC news? Not sensational enough?
Synchronised did indeed get up from Bechers without a problem. He then carried on doing what he was bred to do and enjoyed doing (whatever anyone says about the way he looked at the first fence) - jumping. I think it was the fence after Valentines when he landed and there was a clearly a problem. By the way he skewed over the fence, he may even have taken a false step before it (as Garde Champetre and Scots Irish did at Cheltenham). That happens on the racecourse, and it happens in fields. As for poor old According To Pete, he too paid the price for simply being unlucky.
There's been two points made so far that sum it up for me:
1. The people that look after the horses every day love them more than any uninitiated person who is anti the sport.
2. If you ban the National, surely you need to remove the risk completely and ban all equine sports?
One point that's not been made is that the most bone-crunching fall we saw today was Zarkandar, in a hurdle race. Where was that on the BBC news? Not sensational enough?
Agree with MightyMac
Glory, not greed , the motivation to run the horse.
Can someome ttt one of the threads where everyone was saying Synchronized was not a good enough jumper to complete?
Not saying there weren't any but suprised i didn't come across them as there must have been loads judging by the dozens on this thread who knew he had no chance of getting around.
Glory, not greed , the motivation to run the horse.
Can someome ttt one of the threads where everyone was saying Synchronized was not a good enough jumper to complete?
Not saying there weren't any but suprised i didn't come across them as there must have been loads judging by the dozens on this thread who knew he had no chance of getting around.
posh paddy, will you be in it for glory or for the money or both ??
R I P
to all fatalities so sad and condolences to connections
to all fatalities so sad and condolences to connections
I think there needs to be a bit of perspective here.
Its awfully sad Synchronised had to be shot but to say he didnt fancy it is nonsense. He spooked at the tape, AP wasnt expecting it, he dropped him. Yes the Sunday papers will be all over it, just like last year but to blame conections is wrong. He was a racehorse and they took the opinion that as a previous winner of two Nationals and a Gold Cup winner he was a) ideal for the race and b) well handicapped. The fall didnt kill him.
I also think there are a lot of crocodile tears here. If you want to ban the national then you have to ban ALL racing, flat and NH. Yes the National can be x rated but god what a spectacle it is. No one forces connections to run their horses in the race but theres no point in getting over emotional about it because life in all its various shapes and forms goes on. We live we die. Horses live and die. Its part of the rich tapestry of life. here today - gone tomorrow. It brings great enjoyment to alot of people and you have to accept it and embrace it. If horse racing isnt your thing then fine. And if those who decry it can look themselves in the mirror everyday and say to themselves that everything they do on this planet is for the greater good of all mankind and the natural world and nothing suffers as a consequence of it - no animal dies, no person suffers, no natural resources are depleted - then maybe they have a right to voice their opinions. Somehow I think they are few and far between.
Its awfully sad Synchronised had to be shot but to say he didnt fancy it is nonsense. He spooked at the tape, AP wasnt expecting it, he dropped him. Yes the Sunday papers will be all over it, just like last year but to blame conections is wrong. He was a racehorse and they took the opinion that as a previous winner of two Nationals and a Gold Cup winner he was a) ideal for the race and b) well handicapped. The fall didnt kill him.
I also think there are a lot of crocodile tears here. If you want to ban the national then you have to ban ALL racing, flat and NH. Yes the National can be x rated but god what a spectacle it is. No one forces connections to run their horses in the race but theres no point in getting over emotional about it because life in all its various shapes and forms goes on. We live we die. Horses live and die. Its part of the rich tapestry of life. here today - gone tomorrow. It brings great enjoyment to alot of people and you have to accept it and embrace it. If horse racing isnt your thing then fine. And if those who decry it can look themselves in the mirror everyday and say to themselves that everything they do on this planet is for the greater good of all mankind and the natural world and nothing suffers as a consequence of it - no animal dies, no person suffers, no natural resources are depleted - then maybe they have a right to voice their opinions. Somehow I think they are few and far between.
I think there needs to be a bit of perspective here.
Its awfully sad Synchronised had to be shot but to say he didnt fancy it is nonsense. He spooked at the tape, AP wasnt expecting it, he dropped him. Yes the Sunday papers will be all over it, just like last year but to blame conections is wrong. He was a racehorse and they took the opinion that as a previous winner of two Nationals and a Gold Cup winner he was a) ideal for the race and b) well handicapped. The fall didnt kill him.
I also think there are a lot of crocodile tears here. If you want to ban the national then you have to ban ALL racing, flat and NH. Yes the National can be x rated but god what a spectacle it is. No one forces connections to run their horses in the race but theres no point in getting over emotional about it because life in all its various shapes and forms goes on. We live we die. Horses live and die. Its part of the rich tapestry of life. here today - gone tomorrow. It brings great enjoyment to alot of people and you have to accept it and embrace it. If horse racing isnt your thing then fine. And if those who decry it can look themselves in the mirror everyday and say to themselves that everything they do on this planet is for the greater good of all mankind and the natural world and nothing suffers as a consequence of it - no animal dies, no person suffers, no natural resources are depleted - then maybe they have a right to voice their opinions. Somehow I think they are few and far between.
Its awfully sad Synchronised had to be shot but to say he didnt fancy it is nonsense. He spooked at the tape, AP wasnt expecting it, he dropped him. Yes the Sunday papers will be all over it, just like last year but to blame conections is wrong. He was a racehorse and they took the opinion that as a previous winner of two Nationals and a Gold Cup winner he was a) ideal for the race and b) well handicapped. The fall didnt kill him.
I also think there are a lot of crocodile tears here. If you want to ban the national then you have to ban ALL racing, flat and NH. Yes the National can be x rated but god what a spectacle it is. No one forces connections to run their horses in the race but theres no point in getting over emotional about it because life in all its various shapes and forms goes on. We live we die. Horses live and die. Its part of the rich tapestry of life. here today - gone tomorrow. It brings great enjoyment to alot of people and you have to accept it and embrace it. If horse racing isnt your thing then fine. And if those who decry it can look themselves in the mirror everyday and say to themselves that everything they do on this planet is for the greater good of all mankind and the natural world and nothing suffers as a consequence of it - no animal dies, no person suffers, no natural resources are depleted - then maybe they have a right to voice their opinions. Somehow I think they are few and far between.
Don't think connections of Synchronised should be singled out for criticism. Could have happened to any horse. The National is a brutal race but then NH racing is a brutal sport.
people keep saying , horses love to run, they do thats obvious. But what they forget is that the horse has a human being on its back weighing 9 to 10 stone beating it with a whip to near exhaustion.
I'm hoping for both but in all liklihood will not achieve either, frustration and an empty pocket loom large. As long as he doesn't end up with the same fact at S & ATP I'll be happy.
I love the game and make my living on it. But the "people's race" is absolute joke of a race. I actually think it does a lot of harm to the game's imagine. You can argue that a racehorse can get killed in any race, and that's true. But, with the GN you expect horse(s) to be killed and are shocked when none aren't! That can't be right? The race as a spectacle is not even enjoyable to watch. It has a lottery feel to it, hence why the big bookmakers absolutely love the race! Owners and trainers should be ashamed of themselves for running a horse in such a race. But, IMO these wealthy owners couldn't care less about their horse's welfare and are just in it for ego and glory. When one gets killed they don't lose any sleep about it and just go out and replace it.
The main point in defence of it all is that, if you banned the whole sport, these horses would not be munching carrots in a field somewhere , or galloping about on Exmoor, they simply would not exist at all.
terrytp...............Ill be going to work monday............I have no choice bad back/knee (ect)..........im a person ....not a horse ....So its so refreshing to find someone like you.............so thank you and please let me know how your going to give me £100 so as I can have a day off...............your a propper geezer M8
Minge is correct................she hasent put the lead on me yet 
Synchronised one of two Grand National deaths
By Tom Boyle racingpost.com
CHELTENHAM Gold Cup winner Synchronised's bid to complete an historic double in the Grand National ended in tragedy as he was put down after breaking a leg.
According to Pete also lost his life as the world's most famous chase
was marred by two fatalities for the second year in a row.
Both horses fell at Becher's Brook, Synchronised first time around. He went on riderless but stopped at the fence afterthe Canal Turn and was put down after being found to have a hind-leg fracture.
According To Pete was brought down at Becher's on the second circuit and was also put down.
Synchronised had caused a scare after the parade when unseating jockey Tony McCoy. The horse was spooked by the start line, jinked and ran loose.
The JP McManus-ownednine-year-old was walked down to the start once he had been caught and was checked over by a racecourse vet before being allowed to race.
Killyglen and Weird Al were recovering after recieving treatment at the racecourse stable. Weird Al's jockey Timmy Murphy tweeted: "Weird Al gave me a great ride in National. Got a nasty cut to his leg but he will be ok..."
The BHA's Professor Tim Morris: "We are very sad about the fatal injuries suffered by Synchronised and According to Pete in the Grand National.
"In both cases the horse incurred a fracture to the leg and the humane option was to put the injured horses down. "
Aintreemanaging director Julian Thick said: "We are desperately sad at these two accidents and our sympathies are with the connections of both horses. When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset.
"Safety is the first priority for the organisers of the Grand National and we make every effort to ensure that everyone involved in the event is able to participate in safety."
Thick added: "After today, we will, as always, be looking at all aspects of this year's race to see how we can improve safety further."
The RSPCA equine consultant David Muir said: "The Society's view is that again we have had tragedies in the Grand National. We cannot support it unless they react to the issues that were brought up in this particular race. We have got a lot of work to do but I don't think we should be saying 'ban the Grand National' I think we should be saying 'what are the elements of the Grand National that are causing a problem' and deal with those problems."
By Tom Boyle racingpost.com
CHELTENHAM Gold Cup winner Synchronised's bid to complete an historic double in the Grand National ended in tragedy as he was put down after breaking a leg.
According to Pete also lost his life as the world's most famous chase
was marred by two fatalities for the second year in a row.
Both horses fell at Becher's Brook, Synchronised first time around. He went on riderless but stopped at the fence afterthe Canal Turn and was put down after being found to have a hind-leg fracture.
According To Pete was brought down at Becher's on the second circuit and was also put down.
Synchronised had caused a scare after the parade when unseating jockey Tony McCoy. The horse was spooked by the start line, jinked and ran loose.
The JP McManus-ownednine-year-old was walked down to the start once he had been caught and was checked over by a racecourse vet before being allowed to race.
Killyglen and Weird Al were recovering after recieving treatment at the racecourse stable. Weird Al's jockey Timmy Murphy tweeted: "Weird Al gave me a great ride in National. Got a nasty cut to his leg but he will be ok..."
The BHA's Professor Tim Morris: "We are very sad about the fatal injuries suffered by Synchronised and According to Pete in the Grand National.
"In both cases the horse incurred a fracture to the leg and the humane option was to put the injured horses down. "
Aintreemanaging director Julian Thick said: "We are desperately sad at these two accidents and our sympathies are with the connections of both horses. When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset.
"Safety is the first priority for the organisers of the Grand National and we make every effort to ensure that everyone involved in the event is able to participate in safety."
Thick added: "After today, we will, as always, be looking at all aspects of this year's race to see how we can improve safety further."
The RSPCA equine consultant David Muir said: "The Society's view is that again we have had tragedies in the Grand National. We cannot support it unless they react to the issues that were brought up in this particular race. We have got a lot of work to do but I don't think we should be saying 'ban the Grand National' I think we should be saying 'what are the elements of the Grand National that are causing a problem' and deal with those problems."
Dreadful day for racing - only plus being John Hales somewhat laying the One Man ghost to rest with some retribution.
Taking a worldly view after the event, I believe the issue to be the number of runners in the race, coupled with starry eyed owners/trainers who simply do not understand their animals well enough.
The latter may sound a ridiculous comment, but there was some discussion pre race about horses needing to be smart, brave and able to display the both to succeed around Aintree.
For me, there were clearly runners in the field who do not meet these 2 key criteria, and any trainer or owner worth their salt should know their horses, traits and capabilities.
Synchronised, whilst a clever sod clearly did not have the know how for Aintree.
On a different point...
A.P.McCoy - greatest jockey of our generation...do YOU think he potentially could have done more? Think bigger picture, think 'the poor bugger has run a mile before we've even seen a fence'. Think 'he's had a proper look at that fence - whilst we're here to win, my RESPONSIBILITY is also to the horse, after all there could be another couple of Gold Cups in this chap'.
There are a zillion if, buts and maybes - in this instance, we need to take a look at the size of the field and the behaviours such a vast field encourage. In addition, we also need to look at our owners, trainers and jockeys...
Taking a worldly view after the event, I believe the issue to be the number of runners in the race, coupled with starry eyed owners/trainers who simply do not understand their animals well enough.
The latter may sound a ridiculous comment, but there was some discussion pre race about horses needing to be smart, brave and able to display the both to succeed around Aintree.
For me, there were clearly runners in the field who do not meet these 2 key criteria, and any trainer or owner worth their salt should know their horses, traits and capabilities.
Synchronised, whilst a clever sod clearly did not have the know how for Aintree.
On a different point...
A.P.McCoy - greatest jockey of our generation...do YOU think he potentially could have done more? Think bigger picture, think 'the poor bugger has run a mile before we've even seen a fence'. Think 'he's had a proper look at that fence - whilst we're here to win, my RESPONSIBILITY is also to the horse, after all there could be another couple of Gold Cups in this chap'.
There are a zillion if, buts and maybes - in this instance, we need to take a look at the size of the field and the behaviours such a vast field encourage. In addition, we also need to look at our owners, trainers and jockeys...
Horses are just tools to the racing industry - nothing more. From risking them by jumping them over fences to sending mares to stallions every year without a break it's just about the £££
Thanks for your kind reply terry..........you are showing great guidance on here to-day & should post more often
Aintreemanaging director Julian Thick said: "We are desperately sad at these two accidents and our sympathies are with the connections of both horses. When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset.
"Safety is the first priority for the organisers of the Grand National and we make every effort to ensure that everyone involved in the event is able to participate in safety."
Who's he trying to kid? £££££££££££££££££
minge, thank you .If i can be of further assistance please don`t hesitate to get touch , cheers
Piccadilly - "When one gets killed they don't lose any sleep about it and just go out and replace it".
I think that`s a pretty wild statement and very unfair mate.
I can guarantee you that JP, AP, JJ and all connections of Synchronised are completely distraught right now and will be for a long time to come. As for the connections of According To Pete, they are most certainly hurting real bad right now and will take even longer to get over it. The woman who owned it was crying with worry before the race and it saddens me to think how she is feeling now. My thoughts are with them all, but with the lady and grooms in particular.
I think that`s a pretty wild statement and very unfair mate.
I can guarantee you that JP, AP, JJ and all connections of Synchronised are completely distraught right now and will be for a long time to come. As for the connections of According To Pete, they are most certainly hurting real bad right now and will take even longer to get over it. The woman who owned it was crying with worry before the race and it saddens me to think how she is feeling now. My thoughts are with them all, but with the lady and grooms in particular.
Irish National; AP was sat behind the fence crying his eyes out when Wichita Lineman had to be put down...
I find it very sad that any horse dies for our pleasure but let's get some perspective here....
750,000,000 pigs/cows/sheep/chickens are slaughtered every year in the UK for human consumption.
They have no possibility of living anywhere near a full term of life, whereas racehorses can hopefully expect at least 20 years of pampered existence and are only conceived into life at for the sole purpose of racing.
Most of Europe happily eat horses but we have a different perspective here in the UK (they are pets) so feel more aggrieved at their deaths especially when televised.
All of the grief stricken people on here will still be betting next week when more horses will unfortunately die in the course of supplying our entertainment and those same people will also all be betting their money on the Grand National next year irrespective of whether they modify the course yet again or not.
Having said that, I agree that the wastage rate in the National is unacceptably high and really think that 40 runners is too many and the limit should be 25 or 30 at most.
750,000,000 pigs/cows/sheep/chickens are slaughtered every year in the UK for human consumption.
They have no possibility of living anywhere near a full term of life, whereas racehorses can hopefully expect at least 20 years of pampered existence and are only conceived into life at for the sole purpose of racing.
Most of Europe happily eat horses but we have a different perspective here in the UK (they are pets) so feel more aggrieved at their deaths especially when televised.
All of the grief stricken people on here will still be betting next week when more horses will unfortunately die in the course of supplying our entertainment and those same people will also all be betting their money on the Grand National next year irrespective of whether they modify the course yet again or not.
Having said that, I agree that the wastage rate in the National is unacceptably high and really think that 40 runners is too many and the limit should be 25 or 30 at most.
I'm sure the connections of ATP are most upset. Although if they really did care deeply for the horse? Surely asking it to run in such a tough race was asking for trouble? As for Synchronised connections? Running a GC winner in the national is sacrilege IMO!
Arbor Supreme - Having now run 3 times in the National and failed to get around UR/F/UR. Maybe connections might think about not running him in it again??
I backed it in the GC.........dident fancy it 1 bit to-day...........but where do you go with it....prob "well in" today & a class horse won the race...............Its a racehorse
Very sad news indeed & yet more bad news for the race itself.
It could spell the end of the great race??
RIP Sync & Pete xxx
It could spell the end of the great race??
RIP Sync & Pete xxx
Synchronised, Wichita Lineman, Exotic Dancer, Gloria Victis... McCoy has accumulated quite a list of high profile chase fatalities.
Whippin Picadilly, dont agree with everything you say but you are speaking alot of sense on here.
a footballer - a human being- died in a Serie 'B' match today - that's the second high profile cardiac arrest within weeks - are they now exerting themselves to unacceptabe levels in high class matches? - what measures are being taken to avoid this happening again?
Reaseheath don't use the death of a footballer to justify today's National. It does you no favours.
it's not a justification - it's a comparison - please don't make assumptions about what does or does not do me any favours, you don't know me.
The Bolton player.......The Grand Nat.................PTP or Park Football.....................Youd struggle to start a thread
RIP Synchronised & According To Pete......
... will always remember the formers magnificent effort in the 2012 Gold Cup !
... will always remember the formers magnificent effort in the 2012 Gold Cup !
RIP Synchronised & According To Pete......very sad affair...
Hiya mange,
very sad day for our sport! I'm aware horses are in many ways fragile creatures, but Cheltenham & Aintree over the last twelve months.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
very sad day for our sport! I'm aware horses are in many ways fragile creatures, but Cheltenham & Aintree over the last twelve months.... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
Hindsights a wonderful thing, but I believe many thought Synchronised had a very hard race at Cheltenham !
How fit was AP after he was unshipped from Synchronised, at first he was holding his arm against his chest & my immediate thought was has he broken his collar bone.
Best finish I can remember yet sadly all that has gone by the wayside
Best finish I can remember yet sadly all that has gone by the wayside
There were 70000 people at Aintree how many of them do you think gave a second thought to those horses that died today, same with the millions odf viewers on tv. I have owned horses in the past accidents happen its part of the sport and part of life, a few people make a song and dance about it and blow it out of proportion by next week the whole hullabaloo will have blown over and these serial whingers will be on to something new to complain about
For those who are comparing todays tragic death of the footballer in Italy to today's deaths in the National (and believe it or not a person involved in racing has done this) Then lets not ban football but once a year have a special game with the world watching and place a trap that the players cannot see and if they step on it then they're just unlucky, but they would have had a wonderful life and died doing what they loved.
mukdahan,
Good evening. Compassion is obviously one of your strong points !
Good evening. Compassion is obviously one of your strong points !
I feel sorry for the connections of both horses, you get to know the horses you own and have an affinity with them, but for other people to jump on the bandwagon and fake crocodile tears as if they give a toss makes me feel nauseous
Fair enough. But, my take is people who've bothered to post do genuinely care about the welfare of the horses' ?
Steamship
14 Apr 12 20:09
Joined:
01 Apr 10
| Topic/replies: 2,219 | Blogger: Steamship's blog
For those who are comparing todays tragic death of the footballer in Italy to today's deaths in the National (and believe it or not a person involved in racing has done this) Then lets not ban football but once a year have a special game with the world watching and place a trap that the players cannot see and if they step on it then they're just unlucky, but they would have had a wonderful life and died doing what they loved.
The comparison was to encourage a sense of perspective which you are clearly hellbent on denying.
Do you bet on steeplechases? Are you going to stop as a result of today's events?
For the record, I feel desperately sorry that both horses suffered such an ignominious end. Particularly poignant following the interview with Jefferson on RUK last night when he dared to dream for a moment about National victory and then agreed that the main thing was that the horse came home safe. For the lion hearted Synchronised, I remember McCoy dismounting after he finished exhausted when winning the Midlands National - given the consistent bravery of his performances, particularly tragic that he survived the fall at Bechers and fatally injured himself when loose. So RIP both horses.
Both sets of connections have met with triumph and disaster over the last month - the winning owner encapsulated the bitter sweet nature of the sport in his post race interview.
What I am not prepared to do is after-time by saying 'x should have done that, y should have done this'.It's clear there will have to be more changes to the character of the race - I am not qualified to state what those should be (though it does seem common sense that a reduction from 40 to 30 runners would make it safer without detracting from the spectacle). It's surely significant that not even the RSPCA are asking for the race to be banned.
I am certainly not in the least perturbed by a few rabble rousers on here trying to grab the moral high ground - plenty of them will laying into some unsuspecting jockey by the time the 4.40pm at Southwell comes around on Tuesday.
14 Apr 12 20:09
Joined:
01 Apr 10
| Topic/replies: 2,219 | Blogger: Steamship's blog
For those who are comparing todays tragic death of the footballer in Italy to today's deaths in the National (and believe it or not a person involved in racing has done this) Then lets not ban football but once a year have a special game with the world watching and place a trap that the players cannot see and if they step on it then they're just unlucky, but they would have had a wonderful life and died doing what they loved.
The comparison was to encourage a sense of perspective which you are clearly hellbent on denying.
Do you bet on steeplechases? Are you going to stop as a result of today's events?
For the record, I feel desperately sorry that both horses suffered such an ignominious end. Particularly poignant following the interview with Jefferson on RUK last night when he dared to dream for a moment about National victory and then agreed that the main thing was that the horse came home safe. For the lion hearted Synchronised, I remember McCoy dismounting after he finished exhausted when winning the Midlands National - given the consistent bravery of his performances, particularly tragic that he survived the fall at Bechers and fatally injured himself when loose. So RIP both horses.
Both sets of connections have met with triumph and disaster over the last month - the winning owner encapsulated the bitter sweet nature of the sport in his post race interview.
What I am not prepared to do is after-time by saying 'x should have done that, y should have done this'.It's clear there will have to be more changes to the character of the race - I am not qualified to state what those should be (though it does seem common sense that a reduction from 40 to 30 runners would make it safer without detracting from the spectacle). It's surely significant that not even the RSPCA are asking for the race to be banned.
I am certainly not in the least perturbed by a few rabble rousers on here trying to grab the moral high ground - plenty of them will laying into some unsuspecting jockey by the time the 4.40pm at Southwell comes around on Tuesday.
We clearly both love the sport and I accept there will be deaths, but I get the feeling that a lot on here will not see the bigger picture and that our showpiece event is a sham. I do not want to see racing banned I have owned a couple myself and bred one with dreams of winning the National.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equine_fatalities_in_the_Grand_National
Well lowering the fences seems to have made the problem worse, a lot higher than the 50s/60s
A-They are going faster
b-The drainage is probably too good
Well lowering the fences seems to have made the problem worse, a lot higher than the 50s/60s
A-They are going faster
b-The drainage is probably too good
thanks for the reply - agree with the sentiments above.
Over the last ten years Championship races both at Cheltenham & Aintree appear to be run at a much faster pace?.....
Maybe speaking through my ars e, but did we get the same amount of fatalitie's on softer ground ?
Maybe speaking through my ars e, but did we get the same amount of fatalitie's on softer ground ?
" a few people make a song and dance about it and blow it out of proportion "
This won`t cut it anymore for you dinosaures..
By now the world has noticed. Your cruel "sport" will thankfully be gone soon - nearly every other country that practised Jump Racing has got rid of it. You lot are simply a bit behind the times..
This won`t cut it anymore for you dinosaures..
By now the world has noticed. Your cruel "sport" will thankfully be gone soon - nearly every other country that practised Jump Racing has got rid of it. You lot are simply a bit behind the times..
has he got a heart mcmanus ffs as cold as it gets imo
It was later revealed that Synchronised had suffered a fatal injury. Owner JP McManus said: "He's been killed, so I believe. I'm sure they'll make an announcement shortly."
It was later revealed that Synchronised had suffered a fatal injury. Owner JP McManus said: "He's been killed, so I believe. I'm sure they'll make an announcement shortly."
C/mon then raps, which main racing country whos had it and has now banned it apart from Oz???
Not many had it to start with but look at racing in the US that since the high profile deaths the sport has dropped. Anyone calling for NH to be banned altogether needs to get a reality check butat the moment those in charge of racing also do.
The Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup are still going strong
Horses need more clearance at the fences, especially over the National fences. Obviously the faster the pack of horses are going then more casualties you will get. Synchronised must have tried following the pack after getting rid of AP for the second time, and has been unfortunate. They keep making changes to the course but i think now there will definitely be a change to other factors. The connections of Le Beau Bai must be silently rejoicing their decision.
sick about synchronised as like many never thought he was an aintree type and really didn't want them to run it and the connections must be in bits and it's almost a blessing in disguise that sunnyhillboy didn't win as how could they have reacted positively to the victory?
they really are suffering the ultimate punishment for their decision to run as leave synchronised at home and mc coys on the winner as surely he would have got it home as mclernon should have imo,must be eating away at them,feel very sorry for them.
they really are suffering the ultimate punishment for their decision to run as leave synchronised at home and mc coys on the winner as surely he would have got it home as mclernon should have imo,must be eating away at them,feel very sorry for them.
Terrible news just watched coverage until result of photo was announced so didn't realise there had been two fatalities.Dont often read all posts in such a long thread. The thing that most annoyed me going through them is the amount of people blaming greedy owners. JP is not short of a bob or two as others have pointed out. It was a sporting decision to run sychronised nothing else,a sport he obviously loves,yes there where risks involved and listening to betfair radio a couple of weeks ago it seems Jonjo was not to keen. To suggest that JP wont care that much about losing the horse as he can easily be replaced is just sick. He will have thought long and hard about running the horse and will be more down right now than any of the ban the national brigade.
Terrible news just watched coverage until result of photo was announced so didn't realise there had been two fatalities.Dont often read all posts in such a long thread. The thing that most annoyed me going through them is the amount of people blaming greedy owners. JP is not short of a bob or two as others have pointed out. It was a sporting decision to run sychronised nothing else,a sport he obviously loves,yes there where risks involved and listening to betfair radio a couple of weeks ago it seems Jonjo was not to keen. To suggest that JP wont care that much about losing the horse as he can easily be replaced is just sick. He will have thought long and hard about running the horse and will be more down right now than any of the ban the national brigade.
Annoys me when some say, 'These horses love to jump. Look at them when they run loose, jumping the fences' That's a nonsense. They are pack animals and they are reacting on a massive adrenaline buzz and it's pure instinct. You see loose horses fall when they are loose and injure themselves. They are merely taking flight and trying to follow the pack.
zilzal,
Germany, USA, Canada, Australia.
Ggive it a few years and you will catch up too.
(reminds me of Soccer`s reluctance to use video replays to get the decision right).
You Europeans are backward when it comes to sport
Germany, USA, Canada, Australia.
Ggive it a few years and you will catch up too.
(reminds me of Soccer`s reluctance to use video replays to get the decision right).
You Europeans are backward when it comes to sport
Mmm, what about the Carolina Cup??
I did say MAJOR
WHAT History of jump racing did these countries have anyway, Germany and Canada ffs
I did say MAJOR
WHAT History of jump racing did these countries have anyway, Germany and Canada ffs
RAPS
14 Apr 12 22:02
Joined:
22 Jan 08
| Topic/replies: 1,836 | Blogger: RAPS's blog
zilzal,
Germany, USA, Canada, Australia.
Ggive it a few years and you will catch up too.
(reminds me of Soccer`s reluctance to use video replays to get the decision right).
You Europeans are backward when it comes to sport
but fortunately not that backward that we call football, Soccer with a capital S
14 Apr 12 22:02
Joined:
22 Jan 08
| Topic/replies: 1,836 | Blogger: RAPS's blog
zilzal,
Germany, USA, Canada, Australia.
Ggive it a few years and you will catch up too.
(reminds me of Soccer`s reluctance to use video replays to get the decision right).
You Europeans are backward when it comes to sport
but fortunately not that backward that we call football, Soccer with a capital S
Such beautifully animals, both in their prime. So SO much sadness.
Syncronised - King of Cheltenham
Pete - That amazing hard working Yorkshire lad.
Both loved - very sadly missed
RIP
Syncronised - King of Cheltenham
Pete - That amazing hard working Yorkshire lad.
Both loved - very sadly missed
RIP
And racing will do the usual heart-felt condolences, and it'll be straight on to hyping up the next big thing, the next big race, and seeking future champions. I'm afraid racing professionals need to take a long, hard look at themselves. Ultimately, they need to accept horses are mere fodder to fuel their betting buzz. And exciting racing is only truly exciting when money is on the line. When horses die along the way, most punters don't really give a sh*t and carry on betting regardless, I'm stopping betting on the jumps now. Find the 'sport' too distasteful. I think you can make more of a case for Flat racing.
Of course the flat is a sanitised tir an nog land where all horses are three forever and ever. What do you think happens to a slow sprint bred four year old ? The game is structured around two to three year olds.
RSPCA seek further changes to National
By James Burn racingpost.com
THE Grand National is clearly not safe enough, according to Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA, who has called for further changes to the race following the deaths of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According To Pete in Saturday's John Smith's-backed showpiece.
Modifications were made to the course after two horses died in the race last year, but Grant wants further action.
He questioned the number of runners (40) and said the famous Aintree fences need examining again.
"It's clearly not safe enough," Grant said on Sunday morning. "Excitement and drama at Aintree yes, death and suffering no, has to be the message.
"Three horses have died at Aintree this week [Gottany O's broke down on the flat in a juvenile hurdle on Thursday] and five died at Cheltenham five weeks ago. Changes have to happen here.
"We recognise racing is part and parcel of the fabric of our country but we've all got a responsibility as human beings - after all the horses haven't got a choice, they can't make the decisions - to make racing as safe as it can be."
Grant, who was speaking to BBC Breakfast, added: "As far as the Grand National is concerned there are lots of factors, Firstly, the scale of the field. Forty horses is a heck of a lot. Secondly, there are unique jumps there that horses aren't experienced in going over and I think we need to look at those jumps again.
"Becher's Brook has claimed another casualty [According To Pete] and perhaps it's time for that to go.
"We need to look at the landing areas. Some improvements have been made there, but when you've got a drop on the other side of the fence a horse isn't expecting that. And the going. The ground conditions are very important. Aintree has made a lot of progress making sure the going is softer because when it's hard the horses run faster.
"There is lots of work tobe done to take the risks to horses out of this."
By James Burn racingpost.com
THE Grand National is clearly not safe enough, according to Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA, who has called for further changes to the race following the deaths of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According To Pete in Saturday's John Smith's-backed showpiece.
Modifications were made to the course after two horses died in the race last year, but Grant wants further action.
He questioned the number of runners (40) and said the famous Aintree fences need examining again.
"It's clearly not safe enough," Grant said on Sunday morning. "Excitement and drama at Aintree yes, death and suffering no, has to be the message.
"Three horses have died at Aintree this week [Gottany O's broke down on the flat in a juvenile hurdle on Thursday] and five died at Cheltenham five weeks ago. Changes have to happen here.
"We recognise racing is part and parcel of the fabric of our country but we've all got a responsibility as human beings - after all the horses haven't got a choice, they can't make the decisions - to make racing as safe as it can be."
Grant, who was speaking to BBC Breakfast, added: "As far as the Grand National is concerned there are lots of factors, Firstly, the scale of the field. Forty horses is a heck of a lot. Secondly, there are unique jumps there that horses aren't experienced in going over and I think we need to look at those jumps again.
"Becher's Brook has claimed another casualty [According To Pete] and perhaps it's time for that to go.
"We need to look at the landing areas. Some improvements have been made there, but when you've got a drop on the other side of the fence a horse isn't expecting that. And the going. The ground conditions are very important. Aintree has made a lot of progress making sure the going is softer because when it's hard the horses run faster.
"There is lots of work tobe done to take the risks to horses out of this."
It never seems to have effected me before when horses have paid the ultimate price in this race or any other but for some reason this time I'm genuinely sad. Maybe it's all the coverage According to Pete got on the BBC with the interviews with the owner / breeder and family who clearly adored the horse or maybe it's the tragic nature that they lost their lives (being brought down and running on riderless only to subsequently hurt himself) or maybe it's the fact one is a Gold Cup winner.
I love racing and hope to have my first runner that I breed next year, this just reminds me of everything that can go wrong.
RIP Synchronised & According to Pete you heroes of the turf and my sincere condolences to connections.
just read the whole thread. so sad
I love racing and hope to have my first runner that I breed next year, this just reminds me of everything that can go wrong.
RIP Synchronised & According to Pete you heroes of the turf and my sincere condolences to connections.
just read the whole thread. so sad
I havent read all posts, but please read this link, http://m.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/sep/23/claims-five-broken-leg-horse?cat=sport&type=article
Has helped me understand a little more about injuries to horses.
Has helped me understand a little more about injuries to horses.
great post by Jezebel saved from deleted AP/Synchronised thread:
"Some facts, from someone who is not a jockey but knows horse behaviour and psychology pretty well:
1. Synchronised unseated AP because he jinked at the white line (the sort of silly spooks that horses are prone to do) and AP, not expecting it, was unbalanced and fell off. There was no 'premonition', no 'chucking the jockey off in an attempt to save himself'. Horses have no concept of impending death, risk, the future or 'what might have been'.
2. Having been caught and calmly walked back to the others, Synchronised was checked by the racecourse vet and passed as fit to run.
3. He spooked away from the fence because he was asked to leave the rest of the 'herd' at an unfamiliar point. Horses are creatures of routine. Synchronised's previous experiences of racing will have taught him that the routine was: canter down to the first fence in a group; canter back in a group; walk round in a group; line up in a group; start galloping in a group. There was a break in the routine and he was taken away to look at the fence while the other horses were walking round in their group. A lot of horses, not just racehorses will nap (try to move back towards the other horses) in this situation.
4. Even if Synchronised *had* taken some violent irrational dislike to the fences, he would have refused - as Vic Venturi did later in the race. No jockey in the world can force half a ton of horse over a fence if he doesn't want to jump it - or even to start a race at all (and we all know who came off best when AP tried to take on Deano's Beano at the start of a few races)."
"Some facts, from someone who is not a jockey but knows horse behaviour and psychology pretty well:
1. Synchronised unseated AP because he jinked at the white line (the sort of silly spooks that horses are prone to do) and AP, not expecting it, was unbalanced and fell off. There was no 'premonition', no 'chucking the jockey off in an attempt to save himself'. Horses have no concept of impending death, risk, the future or 'what might have been'.
2. Having been caught and calmly walked back to the others, Synchronised was checked by the racecourse vet and passed as fit to run.
3. He spooked away from the fence because he was asked to leave the rest of the 'herd' at an unfamiliar point. Horses are creatures of routine. Synchronised's previous experiences of racing will have taught him that the routine was: canter down to the first fence in a group; canter back in a group; walk round in a group; line up in a group; start galloping in a group. There was a break in the routine and he was taken away to look at the fence while the other horses were walking round in their group. A lot of horses, not just racehorses will nap (try to move back towards the other horses) in this situation.
4. Even if Synchronised *had* taken some violent irrational dislike to the fences, he would have refused - as Vic Venturi did later in the race. No jockey in the world can force half a ton of horse over a fence if he doesn't want to jump it - or even to start a race at all (and we all know who came off best when AP tried to take on Deano's Beano at the start of a few races)."
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