SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
This years Randox Health Grand National is to once again see a host of leading equine welfare organisations and charities come together, highlighting a variety of factors which affect Britain’s horses.
Joining the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will be the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, British Horse Society and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), under the banner of The Horse Comes First, with an information stand being hosted for the full duration of the festival.
David Muir, the RSPCA’s racing consultant, said: “Our aim is to make racing as safe as possible for horses and working with the BHA there have been some significant changes to courses, fences and the rules to reduce the risks and improve welfare.
“Our team looks forward to meeting racegoers at the stand this year to explain our work improving racehorse welfare and also rescuing hundreds of horses from neglect and cruelty each year.”
Those attending, which numbered 140,000 last year, will be able to learn about the important work carried out regarding equine welfare, with representatives from each organisation on hand to chat and answer questions on a plethora of issues.
John Baker, North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, added: “We are delighted that the leading equine welfare organisations will be represented on The Horse Comes First stand at the Randox Health Grand National Festival.
“Horse welfare is of paramount importance to all of us at Aintree and within racing more widely. This stand gives us a chance to promote not only the high standards of care within horseracing, but also the excellent work undertaken by the other charities and organisations representing the wider equine population.”
The Horse Come First marquee is located adjacent to the Red Rum Garden, overlooking the parade ring, for each day of the Randox Health Grand National Festival.
Racegoers are also to have the chance to greet former winners for the first time, located next to the Horse Comes First marquee, with a selection of former winners in the RoR parades taking place before each days racing.
