We are now entering December and the Aintree fences have not seen any real action since the Grand National back in April, but racing returns there this week. As it does, so do all the old controversies that envelope this wonderful racecourse re-raise their ugly heads.
Poor Ginger McCain has not made it. He passed away in September but before doing so he watched his son Donald’s trained horse Ballabriggs to victory, though the finishing stages of the race upset many people. The jockey was Jason Maguire and so intent was he on winning the race that he ignored the welfare of his ride which needed continual dousing with water along with oxygen after the race.
Much of the recent controversy regarding whipping arose as a direct result of that race, though overhead shots of bypassed fences where fallen horses were attended to by armies of vets did little to enamour the general public to the darker face of horse racing. Horse racing is a dangerous sport and the dangers apply to both man and beast.
Inevitably the spectacle resulted in a number of changes to future Grand Nationals which include changes to some fences and the fact that six year olds are no longer permitted to race and that only experienced jockeys will be permitted to ride. This weekend’s race will be the first time these rules will be trailed, though the races cover just a single lap rather that the two of the National.
Are we over-taming the National in an attempt to improve public relations? The way in which the British Horseracing Association (BHA) has meddled with the whipping rules is just one example of the damage that can be done to the sport when reacting to specific incidents. There will always be incidents in horse racing and if the sport is wound down reactively every time one occurs the whole spirit of the Grand National could be threatened.