Retired jockey Robbie Power believes that the protesters who attempted to stop the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday were 'irresponsible'.
Protesters from an animal rights group tried to stop Saturday's Grand National race at Aintree. Scottish horse Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox, won the famous race, but this was preceded by a delayed start due to the protesters attempting to gain entry to the track.
The protesters breached security fences as the National runners were in the parade ring, causing a delay of 12 minutes to the 5:15 pm start.
Merseyside police confirmed that 118 people were arrested over the disruption to the event. Two horses also had to be put down after the race.
A huge debate about the event has ensued since the weekend. Some have defended the sport, while others have called for the sport to be banned.
Power has launched a passionate defense of horse racing in the wake of protests while speaking about Punchestown Betting.
"I think the way they protested was irresponsible and with no respect for the health and safety of any animal or rider in the race.
"We all know how big of a race the Grand National is, and I am speaking from experience myself as a jockey. I have ridden horses in the National that you might want to get down to the start very late on as you want to keep them nice and relaxed, especially those that are a bit highly strung; it didn't play to their strengths.
It wasn't just the horses that were doing the running at today's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse.
Animal Rights protesters attempted but failed to stop proceedings which again resulted in the death of yet another horse. pic.twitter.com/ZV0y6mBUti— UK Justice Forum 🇬🇧 Latest Video News Updates! (@Justice_forum) April 15, 2023
"I witnessed a lot of horses being brought into the parade ring quite late, which is how some trainers like to do it. These horses are in the ring, walking around for a long period of time, and the next thing, we're told they can be taken out if they want to."
Power also went on to explain how upsetting a horse's routine can affect it during races. He also felt the delay had an effect on the number of fallers in the race.
"When you take a horse out of the ring like that, it completely upsets their routine. Not every horse is the same; you have to treat each one differently. They were taken out of routine, and it upsets them," he added.
"I cannot remember a Grand National where we had that many fallers over the first few fences, so statistically, you'd have to say it didn't help.
"Horses are finely tuned; they are no different from humans.
"Some footballers can get revved up at the slightest incident in a match and be on the edge. A manager takes them off as they could be sent off. A horse is the same, coming out for a big occasion, they can get more excited, and any delay can upset their routine.
"What the protesters did was not in the best interests of welfare for the horses."
