Grand National protesters pledge more disruption - with Epsom Derby feared next
Animal rights campaigners who disrupted the Grand National have pledged more protests, with the Epsom Derby among feared targets.
Protestors from Animal Rising (AR) stormed the racecourse at Aintree on Saturday, delaying the famous steeplechase by 14 minutes.
Police made 118 arrests, but Animal Rising said yesterday 42 were “de-arrested”, with no one yet charged.
After the deaths of three horses at the three-day festival, the group said it aims to start an “unignorable national conversation”.
AR said the “horrific, heartbreaking deaths” were the “inevitable consequence of exploiting these animals for entertainment”.
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It said it would release details of its next protest action tonight, with a high police presence expected at the Derby on June 3, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6, and Royal Ascot, from June 20 to 24, among others.
Members of the police forces remove a protester before the start of the Grand National (AP)On Saturday, Hill Sixteen fell at the first hurdle and had to be put down. Dark Raven and Envoye Special had died earlier in the meet.
Other animal groups added their voices to Animal Rising’s criticism.
Dene Stansall of Animal Aid said: “Aintree, the worst of all racecourses, is a disgrace and the Jockey Club and British racing should hang their hands in utter shame at what we have seen.”
The RSPCA called on the British Horseracing Authority to review the circumstances of each horse death.
PETA said 36 horses had died at the Grand National Festival since 2010.
The Epsom Derby is understand to be the next target of the protest group (PA)Animal Rising said more than 49 horses had died at UK events this year.
Julie Harrington, BHA chief executive, said the fatal injury rate in horse racing had fallen by more than a third in the past 20 years, to 0.2% of runners.
She added: “British racing works tirelessly to improve the sport’s safety.
“Every incident is reviewed by the BHA alongside the racecourse and other bodies.”
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