The protesters did their best to prevent the 175th Grand National from taking place, but they managed to delay the race by less than a quarter of an hour. Credit & Copyright: AP/Jon Super
On a sunny spring day in Aintree, the mood was anything but festive in places. At the main gate, protesters carried signs with messages such as «rushing to their death» and «animals are not objects or 'things'», while some irate racers expressed their disagreement in colorful language. Animal Rising's outrage has only intensified with the news that Dark Raven, who fell seventh in the 3pm Mersey Novices Hurdle, has been subdued. Hill Sixteen, one of the original members of the National, was also euthanized, bringing the death toll at the festival this year to three.
Liverpool's grand day was fading into malice as the destroyers raged, calling the National a grotesque anachronism deserving of immediate cancellation. This spectacle caused ridicule in the aviary of the winners. Coach Lucinda Russell, who achieved her second national triumph with the Corach Rambler, said during the 14-minute delay: “This is a real headache. Are the protesters doing this for themselves or for the horses? If they are doing this for the sake of the horses, then they must understand that right now they are jeopardizing their well-being.
This opinion was shared by everyone who was associated with the winning horse. Cameron Sword, 21, the youngest member of the owners' syndicate, who traveled straight to Aintree after attending lectures at Heriot-Watt University, asked: «How can people protest against racing when your protests make these horses wait even longer in the sun? It doesn't make any sense. They can make one. This is our sport and I love it.”
Winning coach Lucinda Russell, pictured here with her winning jockey Derek Fox, wondered if the protesters were doing this «for themselves or for horses.» Photo: PA/Nigel French.
Racing showed a defiant united front in the face of the riots, and McCoy passionately argued that the protesters' views came from ignorance. “They are looking for attention and we give them attention,” he said. “Let's bring out 20 horses and give one to these protesters and see how they fare. What are they going to do? Bring them home and plant them in the garden?
"Horses have a purpose in life, just like all of us. Unfortunately, when people go to work, sometimes bad things happen.”
But you couldn't gloss over the reality that it was a hot day for the sport. Protests have posed the National's greatest danger since 1997, when concerns over an IRA bomb led to Aintree's evacuation and the postponement of the race to Monday. Even if this 175th installment started only slightly behind schedule, the alarm continued until late in the evening, with some activists forcibly ejected from the M57 outside after lying across the road.
Those who made the problem worse did not repent. . Claudia Penna-Rojas, an Animal Rising member who was detained by police, said: “This is to bring attention to our broken relationship with animals and the natural world and how that needs to be changed. There must be better ways to communicate with animals that don't harm them.»
The problem, according to racing enthusiasts, is that they never specify what those «best ways» might be. So, in one of Aintree's most hectic atmospheres, the collective will has prevailed that the show should just go on.
Animal rights protesters accused of hypocrisy 
Will Bolton, Oliver Brown and Ruth Comerford
The animal rights activists who detained the Grand National after the Aintree racecourse was stormed have been accused of using a «hypocritical» tactic for a «publicity stunt» that endangered the horse' well-being.
Trainers and jockeys accused the group of doing the trick «for themselves, not for the horses.»
Despite a huge police presence at the event to counter threats of trouble, a few activists were able to break in near the seventh fence, Foinavon, while two demonstrators had to be prevented from handcuffing their hands to the outside of the canal bend.
Animal Rising has warned that they plan to cut or climb the fences surrounding the track 
Protesters tried to attach themselves to the famous Grand National forward fences Photo: REUTERS
After the protest, the Countryside Alliance accused the «militant» activists of using «hypocritical and increasingly dangerous tactics.»
«Any behavior that could threaten the well-being of racehorses by causing them unnecessary stress serves as a reminder that they are driven by a hunger for advertising, not animal welfare,» a spokesperson for the group said. “Using hypocritical and increasingly dangerous tactics, such as spilling milk on the floors of stores or drilling holes in truck tires, this band of fanatics has only helped fuel debate about how the police should deal with militant subversion.”
< p>Former jockey Peter Scudamore, who is part of the Corach Rambler team, said: “I feel sorry for the horses. As long as the protesters do this [delay the race], it affects the welfare of the horses. I would like people to see the care of the stable staff for these horses."Aintree Racecourse also criticized the group for causing harm to animals. A spokesman said: «Their actions could endanger the horses they are supposed to protect, as well as jockeys, officials and themselves.»
Sixteenth Hill is Aintree's third accident
Animal rights activists call for a jump . racing should be banned and 'much tighter' safety measures in the sport after three horses died this week in Aintree
The third victim, Hill Sixteen, is said to have broken his neck during the Grand National before being euthanized.
Animal Aid racing consultant Dene Stansall said: «Jump racing should be banned to prevent the brutal horrors seen today in Aintree and this week, will not happen again.
"Innocent racehorses' lives taken from them in the name of entertainment and gambling. Aintree, the worst racecourse of all, is a disgrace and the Jockey Club and British Racing should hang their heads in shame at what we have seen over the past three days.»
Earlier Saturday, Dark Raven, who fell in seventh place at 3:00 pm in the Newcomer Hurdles Mersey, was also crushed. A six-year-old child passed out with a broken leg, and green screens were immediately installed around the scene. The Special Envoy died Thursday after dropping his rider into the Randox Foxhunters' Chase.
An Animal Aid campaign spokesperson said: “Aintree continues to be a prolific horse killer. He adds horses to the never-ending list of deaths shaming British racing."
The Grand National, one of the biggest events on the British sporting calendar, is considered one of the most dangerous horses. racing in the world due to the size of the fences.
Changes were made in 2012 to make the track safer, including softening some of the fences after two horses died at the Grand National that same year and in 2011. . Since then, five people have died at the Grand Nationals.
Four horses died at the Aintree Festival last year, including two injured at the Grand National.
'The race must be stopped. Today and forever'
At least 23 people were arrested on the track itself, and Merseyside Police also allegedly arrested the 33-year-old alleged leader of the group hours before the event as they made their way to the track.
< p>A security spokesman said, «Immediately after 5:00 p.m., a large number of protesters tried to enter the track.»
"Most failed to get past the fence, but nine people who managed to complete the course were later arrested by officers .
"We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression, but criminal behavior and disorder is not tolerated and will be dealt with securely."
The police watched from the top of the stands, trying to stop the protesters before they entered the track. Photo: PA/Peter Byrne The uprising began as part of an uprising against extinction. Photo: Shuttershock/Adam Vaughan
Police on duty puts the number of rebellious animals between 70 and 80. pic.twitter.com/8i3eLpArCj
— Dave Yates (@thebedfordfox) April 15, 2023
At Animal Rising claimed that several horses fell during the race, which is what they tried to stop their protests.
The group's plans were revealed after a Mail on Sunday reporter infiltrated the organization weeks before the event and informed the police.
Sarah McCaffrey, a store worker and student who disrupted the event, said: » I know that everyone who comes to Aintree today to watch the races will say they love horses; however, the suffering they endured should shock us all. That's why I chose to put my body between these horses and death on the racetrack, rather than risk their lives.»
Orla Coghlan, a spokeswoman, added: «Today is not the end, but the beginning.» , Animal Rising summer.”
Telegraph Sport understands that activists from the group held a six-hour workshop on Wednesday to finalize their destruction plan. Over the past 24 hours, the protesters have boasted on their website that they are launching «the biggest campaign of animal welfare action the UK has seen in decades.»
«Animal Rising is determined to make sure the Grand National doesn't even start tomorrow afternoon,» spokesman Nathan McGovern predicted. “People will try to squeeze their bodies between the horses and cause harm by canceling the whole race. We know that every two or three days one horse dies at the races in the UK, and over a billion horses die in our food system, and we want to put an end to this"
Earlier on Saturday, the center of the protests was at the entrance to the hippodrome, where protesters gathered to hand out leaflets to the racers. Many who visited Aintree shouted insults as they passed.
Dora Hargitai, 37, an Animal Rising volunteer, said: “I believe that both sides can renounce violence. The race must stop. Today and forever."
Another one, Claudia Penna Rojas, told Sky News: “At some point, we will head to the track. It's because this industry is hurting these horses.»
Julie Harrington, Executive Director of the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA), said: "Our thoughts are with everyone involved with the fatally injured horses this week.
“British racing drivers are working tirelessly to improve the sport's safety record and reduce avoidable risks. Each incident is reviewed by the BHA along with the race track and other authorities.
"As a sport, we have shown great determination and commitment to improving welfare standards over the years by taking sound, evidence-based science. regulatory and educational measures."
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