The protest group Animal Rising have called on animal lovers to join them this Saturday as they bid to sabotage the Grand National.
The steeplechase over more than four miles is the race that captures the imagination of the country more than any other. Punters flock to betting shops around the nation before the Aintree showpiece, with thousands more in attendance at the racecourse.
As a result it has been the platform for protests in the past as animal rights activists take issue with the treatment of horses. This year is no different and on Saturday Animal Rising, who've had their plans exposed by the national press, are looking to make a point at Aintree and want to further increase their numbers.
Volunteer Orla Coghlan appeared on GMB and spoke about their motivations: "We're trying to do two main things by disrupting this race. We care very much about animals and we're trying to protect those horses by being there on the tracks. Secondly we want to have this public conversation - I'm sure million families are having these conversations around breakfast - so I think it is quite an effective way to protest."
She went on to say: "We know every other day a horse days in horse racing in the UK. Also since, I think the year 2000, 50 horses have died at Aintree alone." Orla questioned why, given the obvious affection the public has for horses, why they have to be enjoyed in an arena where they face harm.
Animal Rising spokesman Ben Newman told GB News : “Yes, so horse racing is wrong and we can do so much better than using animals for food or fun and we just don’t need to. We're inviting everyone to come down at 9:30am on the 15th to Aintree racecourse and hope to stop the race.
"Come on down if you'd like to know more. Protest is a fairly common thing in a democracy and there's nothing new about it. We’ll be using our bodies and that's all there is to it really.”
Orla admitted that, beyond their intention to disrupt, no exact plans had been made as she was questioned on whether the group would invade the track. "We're going to be turning up outside the gates at Aintree at 9.30am on Saturday and we'd encourage any other animal lovers to be there with us," she added.
"Originally I think we had about 100 people involved in the protest, now we've got around 300 people. I'm not sure what the exact tactics will be on the day, I'd welcome anybody to come down and be part of it."
Last year Eclair Surf and Discorama were both fatalities in the race with the former falling at just the third fence. In 2021 The Long Mile died whilst in 2012 the much-loved Synchronised, ridden by Tony McCoy, was a fatality just weeks after claiming the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The three-day festival at Aintree begins on Thursday and features several Grade 1 races including the Aintree Bowl and the Melling Chase. Last year’s Grand National winner Noble Yeats is aiming to emulate the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll as a multiple winner, but Corach Rambler currently heads the betting.
