Police have arrested 25 people after attempts to disrupt today's Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Protestors made their way on to the track shortly before the big race at 3.35pm in a bid to stop the event from taking place.
But cops - who had launched a massive security operation in light of a similar stunt at last week's Aintree Grand National - thwarted their efforts.
Police have revealed that they stopped a second group of protestors from trying to disrupt a second race later in the card.
The big race was won by the Christian Williams-trained Kitty's Light in front of a sell-out crowd of 16,000.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said "Around 3.20pm, just before the main Scottish Grand National event at Ayr Racecourse, a large group of protesters climbed under and over fences and made their way towards the track.
"A prompt and professional response by stewards and Police Scotland officers prevented this group from causing any disruption. As a result, the race was completed successfully and without further issue.
"Following this, there was a further attempt to disrupt a later race involving a smaller group of protesters.
"Both incidents resulted in people being safely removed and no injuries have been reported.
"Overall, there have been 25 arrests so far across the day and enquires are continuing.
"I would like to commend the work of the officers and stewards who responded swiftly to intervene and prevent further escalation.
"We worked closely with the event organisers and other partners ahead of the Scottish Grand National to ensure a proportionate plan was in place to keep people safe and facilitate peaceful protest."
Posting on their Twitter page, the protest group Animal Rising said: "Arrests have been made on the tracks at the Scottish Grand National, where supporters of Animal Rising attempted to put a stop to the cruelty that happens to horses there.
"Earlier on in the day Oscar Elite was needlessly killed on the track, demonstrating the extent of the tragedy that we are there trying to prevent.
"Imagine a world where no horse had to die on the track for people's entertainment. Together, as a nation of animal lovers, we can create this future.
"It's time we fix our broken relationship with other animals and the natural world - for all life! Please join us as we continue to disrupt industries that profit off the harm and exploitation of animals."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
