Animal rights activists are enraged and devastated after a horse, Giovinco, died following a fall during the second day of the Grand National Festival.
Giovinco, aged seven, fell during the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, the first race of Ladies’ Day at Aintree.
The gelding was three lengths behind the lead and fell at the final fence. He was treated on-track by vets but they were unable to save him.
His tragic death comes just 24 hours before the festival’s showpiece event, for which a huge ‘ring of steel’ has been erected to keep out protesters.
‘If the death toll was this “high” in any other sport, it would be banned immediately,’ a statement from Animal Aid read.
‘However, because it’s “just” horses being killed, then the racing industry and the government seem content to allow these innocent animals to suffer horrific injuries and die.’
Giovinco was trained by two-time Grand National winner Lucinda Russell and jockeyed by Stephen Mulqueen.
He died at 1.45pm on Friday afternoon.
Nina Copleston-Hawkens, Animal Aid Campaigner said: ‘It is reprehensible that yet another horse has lost their life at The Grand National Meeting – a life that, whilst deemed inconsequential by the racing industry, was precious and important.
‘That horses continue to die in horrific and terrifying ways during a race is scandal enough, but even the horses ‘lucky’ enough to survive face uncertain futures where disposal methods such as slaughter and knacker men are commonplace once no longer deemed ‘of use’ to the industry.
‘Make no mistake – despite the fortunate ones who may find a loving home post-career with a compassionate person – there are no happy endings here.’
A ‘ring of steel’ will close off this Saturday’s Grand National from animal rights protestors, with police deploying specialist undercover behaviour experts to monitor the crowds.
Security cordons, often called rings of steel, have been put in place.
A ‘ring of steel’ will attempt to stop protestors from disrupting the Grand National like they did last year
Large cordons have been erected and a strong security detail will be present, with police officers undercover in the crowd
Senior officers are keen to avoid a repeat of scenes at last year’s horse race when activists stormed the track and attempted to glue themselves to fences.
After an undercover expose by the Mail, police had been alerted to the plot organised by campaign group Animal Rising a fortnight earlier, and were on hand to quickly arrest more than 100 protestors.
More to follow.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Mail Online
