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To: The British Horseracing Authority and Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Ban the Grand National or make it safer

Aintree racecourse have made safety improvements to the Grand National race in 2024. This includes reducing the number of horses running from 40 to 34 and bringing the start time forward to improve the Aintree ground.

Despite these welcome new safety measures for the feature race, two horses still sadly died during the 3 day meet. We hope that Aintree racecourse will continue their progress and consider how the Grand National race in 2025 could be even safer.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/grand-national-2024-safety-changes-horses-b2528159.html

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/horseracing/1887883/Grand-National-Festival-Pikar-dead-Giovinco

Ban the Grand National or make it a lot safer by reducing the sizes of jumps and numbers of horses in the race.

Why is this important?

"Too many horses are being killed or injured." Sylvia Clelland.

The 2023 Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse, resulted in the death of three horses including one in the main event of the weekend.

Despite changes being made to the course for safety over the years far too many horses are dying as a result of racing. Sixteen horses have died in the showcase race since 2000.

Safety measures could easily be implemented to improve the safety of the Grand National. These include having smaller and fewer fences, fewer participants and a shorter distance.

Category

Updates

2024-04-15 10:45:42 +0100

Petition is successful with 42,542 signatures

2024-04-15 10:45:26 +0100

Aintree racecourse have made safety improvements to the Grand National race in 2024. This includes reducing the number of horses running from 40 to 34 and bringing the start time forward to improve the Aintree ground.

Despite these welcome new safety measures for the feature race, two horses still sadly died during the 3 day meet. We hope that Aintree racecourse will continue their progress and consider how the Grand National race in 2025 could be even safer.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/grand-national-2024-safety-changes-horses-b2528159.html

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/horseracing/1887883/Grand-National-Festival-Pikar-dead-Giovinco

2023-04-17 15:49:04 +0100

20,000 signatures reached

2019-04-09 21:46:04 +0100

10,000 signatures reached

2019-04-08 19:26:06 +0100

5,000 signatures reached

2019-04-08 15:38:08 +0100

1,000 signatures reached

2019-04-08 14:55:23 +0100

500 signatures reached

2019-04-08 14:35:25 +0100

100 signatures reached

2019-04-08 14:34:16 +0100

50 signatures reached

2019-04-08 14:33:03 +0100

25 signatures reached

2019-04-08 14:32:03 +0100

10 signatures reached