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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

That the Grand National should end

159 replies

LlynTegid · 11/04/2024 21:01

The cruellest horse race, at least on these shores. Hope no horse is injured or killed before it is stopped for good.

OP posts:
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Porageeater · 11/04/2024 21:05

Agree. I used to watch it as was a big thing in my family but now I think it’s vile. All of it really, and the greyhound racing too.

puppylovely · 11/04/2024 21:06

I don't know anything about it. How is it worse than other horse races? Actually maybe i don't want to know...

IncognitoUsername · 11/04/2024 21:11

puppylovely · 11/04/2024 21:06

I don't know anything about it. How is it worse than other horse races? Actually maybe i don't want to know...

It’s longer, the fences are bigger and there are many (too many) horses in the race.

Porageeater · 11/04/2024 21:12

Lots of horses and big dangerous jumps so more likely to be injured or die.

bluewanda · 11/04/2024 21:15

LlynTegid · 11/04/2024 21:01

The cruellest horse race, at least on these shores. Hope no horse is injured or killed before it is stopped for good.

What do you mean, you hope no horse is injured or killed before it’s stopped? They already have been - 4 horses died last year and 36 have died since 2010:

https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/grand-national-festival-2023/

Four Horses Die at the Grand National Festival 2023

36 horses have now died at the Grand National Festival since 2010.

https://www.peta.org.uk/blog/grand-national-festival-2023/#:~:text=Envoye%20Special%2C%20Dark%20Raven%2C%20Hill,at%20the%20Grand%20National%20Festival.

BrendaSmall · 11/04/2024 21:17

Oh dam!
didn’t realise it was grand national soon!
Must study form and see who to put my money on! 🏇🏇🏇

bluewanda · 11/04/2024 21:18

BrendaSmall · 11/04/2024 21:17

Oh dam!
didn’t realise it was grand national soon!
Must study form and see who to put my money on! 🏇🏇🏇

🤮

Bjorkdidit · 11/04/2024 21:19

Not this again. PETA say that around 200 horses a year die on British race courses. Therefore, banning the Grand National will save only a tiny percentage of these. If you want to make a real difference, you need to argue that all horse racing should be banned or at least made safer.

Churchview · 11/04/2024 21:23

What sort of person goes for a nice day out or puts a bet on without a care in the world that a few horses will die in the process?

FestiveAuntFanny · 11/04/2024 21:26

Why don't we ban sports that harm humans too? All those enstupidised rugby players, heart and knee-broken footballers those millions of air miles caused by the Olympics and kids in Bangladeshi sweat shops making footballs.

Let's ban everything you don't like OP!

Idideridest · 11/04/2024 21:29

Ooh. Here we go. The annual rage fest from an OP who conveniently hasn’t realised that other horse races exist, happy to jump on a quick band wagon and go back to eating chicken dippers next week.

Animal welfare is a 24/7/365 endeavour. Perhaps you could do something more constructive than waiting to post on MN about it now you’ve seen the national in the Daily Mail.

Churchview · 11/04/2024 21:30

@FestiveAuntFanny Sports people have a choice in whether they play.

If four footballers had to be shot due to injuries incurred during the world cup then you can be sure it would be banned.

The air miles and sweat shops are subjects worth discussing but are unrelated to this discussion.

Maverickess · 11/04/2024 21:41

I'm not a fan of the national or indeed racing in general having some time in yards under my belt.

But I do wonder how many outraged about the national -

-Don't bother to pass horses at the recommended distance on the roads because 'they shouldn't be there' or because they think the owner is posh and stuck up .
-Feed them shite when passing them in fields.
-Will be defending their right to have some fun letting off fireworks in November, or for a special occasion or just to celebrate Tuesday and not be at all bothered about the impact of any horses around them.

  • same goes for letting off balloons and sky lanterns actually as well.

Although I'm not a fan because of the height of the fences and the amount of horses involved, for a lot of people it's just jumping on a popular bandwagon and not genuine concern at all, because a fair few do and would do any or all of the above without a second thought.

Churchview · 11/04/2024 21:48

Not 'enraged' about the Grand National, but pretty much loathing of any sport that causes pain or death to animals.

I pass horses at snails pace, never feed them in fields. Never have fireworks or let off balloons and sky lanterns.

It's an invention to label people as a 'type' who hop on a bandwagon. That's just an easy way to dismiss people or their opinions.

FestiveAuntFanny · 11/04/2024 21:50

The horses want to race, they are racehorses.

They'd pretty much all have to be shot when you ban horseracing and of course thousands of humans will also lose their livelihoods.

But think of the virtue signalling!

Homebaby · 11/04/2024 21:50

Just the grand national that should be banned? You're ok with the racing that takes place every single day of the year all over the country? Or are you only concerned about horse welfare once a year?

DownWithThisKindOfThing · 11/04/2024 21:51

YANBU

i have fluttered on it before but I regret that and won’t be doing it again.

Starlightstarbright3 · 11/04/2024 21:51

My understanding is that every year some horse seems to die .

for that reason I don’t follow - however it’s not my thing anyway

DownWithThisKindOfThing · 11/04/2024 21:52

Homebaby · 11/04/2024 21:50

Just the grand national that should be banned? You're ok with the racing that takes place every single day of the year all over the country? Or are you only concerned about horse welfare once a year?

Good point x I suppose it’s the GN that is the most visible and highlights the issues

JacobsCrackle · 11/04/2024 21:52

I agree, op. I used to love it and would watch every year but I’ve realised that it is cruel. Feels like there has been a shift over the last few years.

gabriellag · 11/04/2024 21:53

End horse racing entirely.

https://www.horsedeathwatch.com/

Soubriquet · 11/04/2024 21:53

I hate all races that include animals. My parents used to say “but look at the greyhounds/horses, they love it. Look that ones running even though the jockey fell off”

No they don’t love it. And it’s not just the race that’s the problem. I mean what happens when they retire? They don’t get a life a luxury

LlynTegid · 11/04/2024 21:53

Maverickess · 11/04/2024 21:41

I'm not a fan of the national or indeed racing in general having some time in yards under my belt.

But I do wonder how many outraged about the national -

-Don't bother to pass horses at the recommended distance on the roads because 'they shouldn't be there' or because they think the owner is posh and stuck up .
-Feed them shite when passing them in fields.
-Will be defending their right to have some fun letting off fireworks in November, or for a special occasion or just to celebrate Tuesday and not be at all bothered about the impact of any horses around them.

  • same goes for letting off balloons and sky lanterns actually as well.

Although I'm not a fan because of the height of the fences and the amount of horses involved, for a lot of people it's just jumping on a popular bandwagon and not genuine concern at all, because a fair few do and would do any or all of the above without a second thought.

Not actions I do but unacceptable nevertheless.

OP posts:
Kendodd · 11/04/2024 21:54

ffs what is this?
Do you have to be a morally perfect person to object to animal cruelty?

HappierTimesAhead · 11/04/2024 21:55

"Oh but the horses love it"🙄Edited to add roll eyes