Horses die. Stop the hand-wringing

[Posts: 1825Joined: 03 Jan 2004, 19:43Location: north west]

It's sad. Chickens die, pigs die, cows, calves and lambs die, pet dogs and cats die too. And yes, even humans die. So why, sad though it is, when horses are killed during a horse race, do we have to go through this humiliating hand-wringing self-flagellating guilt-trip in order to placate the air-head animal rights lobby and RSPCA care-bear numpties?
Obviously racing must do all it can to minimise the likelihood of such deaths, but at what point will somebody in authority in racing have the courage to say something to these bleeding-heart animal activists along the lines of:-
"This is a sport. Horses will die from time to time whilst participating in it. We've done all that is reasonable to make it safe now push off and try helping animals that really endure cruelty. Go save donkeys from abuse in backward countries, lobby against commercial dog-breeders who put profit before welfare, why, why not even show some real moral courage and protest outside mosques or synagogues whose followers demand a type of ritual slaughter that ought to horrify you. You are hypocrites and cowards who pick fights against horse racing folk who are real animal lovers. **** off, get some balls and your priorities right and come back to horse racing when you've squared animal welfare issues with the REAL animal abusers. We don't need your guidance because you're clearly thicko idiots with too powerful a voice and too little brain to have any real sense of proportion".

Saying this does not mean I am an evil, child-molesting, psychopathic, fascist, devil-worshipping holocaust denier. The bleeding-heart brigade neeed a dose of reality. Does anyone in racing's hierarchy have the guts to make this point?

[Posts: 728Joined: 09 Jan 2011, 14:48]

You're part of a horrible, perverse but thankfully, dying breed in the sport

(edit;- my smilies weren't happy enough at the thought of seeing the back of your kind)

[Posts: 2032Joined: 06 Jun 2011, 14:34Location: Bury St Edmunds]

When you say real animal lovers I presume you mean in the carnal sense?

[Posts: 1638Joined: 15 Nov 2010, 22:01]

'Insomniac' is a Realist,I respect that,horses do die in the name of Horse racing all too often and most of us accept that as an occupational hazard unfortunately.Nobody gets attached to 'their' horses more than me and Synchronised was one of those. What sits uncomfortably for me is the fact that he was NEVER A GRAND NATIONAL HORSE,I could see it as could many others so why couldn't connections,I've said it on numerous occassions his heart was bigger than his jumping ability but it was just that,that got him from one side of a fence to another and the will to win that saw him battle like a lion,I'm writing this with frustration,anger,sadness and a pride that I saw the talent in this fellow a long time ago! RIP Soldier!
According to Pete was a freak death,as he fell I wrote in my notebook to back him for next years race,he was still a major contender so I was just as shocked he died too,Sad day but hey thats The Grand National,dont confuse it with day to day horse racing because its totally unique and addictive in a sad sort of way!

[Posts: 1825Joined: 03 Jan 2004, 19:43Location: north west]

Hi Bachelor's Hall. Pray tell me what kind is "my kind"?

I don't need to make a great show of saying how compassionate I am to make sure that everyone understands how - er, compassionate I am. However, too many nowadays seem to think that letting everyone know how sad, hurt and upset they are somehow makes them superior. It shouldn't need to be said and certainly doesn't need to be repeated. Those unfamiliar with horse-racing, listening to the post-race bleatings of the media after 2 horses died in the National could almost be excused for thinking NH racing was an evil pastime run by evil, uncaring people. The fact that racing itself won't say "get real, you're in la-la land if you think racehorses are abused or cruelly treated" does racing no favours.

[Posts: 728Joined: 09 Jan 2011, 14:48]

Hi Bachelor's Hall. Pray tell me what kind is "my kind"?

Hi insomniac. You strike me as an insensitive hyperbolic traditionalist who would sooner ramp up vitriol against pretty much any other group whilst being utterly blind to the possibility that you might have to realign your own perspective.

You are to the rational compassionate racing fan what the hysterical animal rights extremists are to those who opposed bear baiting.

[Posts: 451Joined: 11 Feb 2008, 09:51Location: N E Hants]

'Insomniac' is a Realist,I respect that,horses do die in the name of Horse racing all too often and most of us accept that as an occupational hazard unfortunately.Nobody gets attached to 'their' horses more than me and Synchronised was one of those. What sits uncomfortably for me is the fact that he was NEVER A GRAND NATIONAL HORSE,I could see it as could many others so why couldn't connections,I've said it on numerous occassions his heart was bigger than his jumping ability but it was just that,that got him from one side of a fence to another and the will to win that saw him battle like a lion,I'm writing this with frustration,anger,sadness and a pride that I saw the talent in this fellow a long time ago! RIP Soldier!
According to Pete was a freak death,as he fell I wrote in my notebook to back him for next years race,he was still a major contender so I was just as shocked he died too,Sad day but hey thats The Grand National,dont confuse it with day to day horse racing because its totally unique and addictive in a sad sort of way!

Hear hear Kingfisher. Totally agree with every word you said, including that poor Synchronised should never have been entered in it. Not his sort of race and so sad that we have lost him to a misguided (IMO) ambition.
According to Pete probably was the right kind of horse. It wasn't the National fences which killed him. He was just very unfortunate to get tangled up with a fallen horse which was luckier than he was and got up again.
Very sad, and RIP both of them , but I think there is a terrible knee-jerk reaction going on which is really not justified.

[Posts: 762Joined: 06 Feb 2008, 19:18]

Kingfisher: What sits uncomfortably for me is the fact that he was NEVER A GRAND NATIONAL HORSE,I could see it as could many others so why couldn't connections,I've said it on numerous occassions his heart was bigger than his jumping ability but it was just that,that got him from one side of a fence to another and the will to win that saw him battle like a lion,I'm writing this with frustration,anger,sadness and a pride that I saw the talent in this fellow a long time ago! RIP Soldier!

My thoughts exactly too ...

[Posts: 1638Joined: 15 Nov 2010, 22:01]

One thing for sure guys Junior Wont be running in next years race,he got away lightly this year thank God! 'Insomniac' No need to play the Hard Man,even you have feelings!

[Posts: 1054Joined: 05 Jun 2010, 14:11]

I also agree totally Kingfisher and Ten Plus.
Whilst its easy with hindsight, we were actually discussing this on the way to Wembley today and were all in agreement.
Connections of poor Synchronised should hang their heads in shame, in my opinion. R.I.P. old boy.

I'm an Evertonian , so bad day all round !

[Posts: 59Joined: 24 Sep 2010, 12:34Location: Halifax]

Not so sure about Synchronised. I didn't think he should run but surely Jonjo must have tried him over the GN fences at home and been happy enough to run him. I think any doubts and he would have pulled the plug. You don't take risks like that with a Gold Cup winner

[Posts: 1638Joined: 15 Nov 2010, 22:01]

You don't take risks like that with a Gold Cup winner

Nothing wrong with Gold cup winners running in the race 'Homer' but you need a horse who is a natural jumper of fences,even then they will be tested over Aintrees unique obstacles.I thought 'Rough Quest' Gold cup runner-up was a good thing for Aintree as he bounced over park fences,'Synchronised' skewed his way over them and even then it looked like that was an effort,look at the way he jumped the first 5 today,almost sideways,anyone would think he was trying to straddle his fences like an old High jumper would at the Olympics!

[Posts: 1698Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:32]

Nothing wrong with Gold cup winners running in the race 'Homer' but you need a horse who is a natural jumper of fences,even then they will be tested over Aintrees unique obstacles.I thought 'Rough Quest' Gold cup runner-up was a good thing for Aintree as he bounced over park fences,'Synchronised' skewed his way over them and even then it looked like that was an effort,look at the way he jumped the first 5 today,almost sideways,anyone would think he was trying to straddle his fences like an old High jumper would at the Olympics!

It was not a common held view that Rough Quest was a natural jumper of fences, as his record of 4 falls in his previous 14 races would indicate. Declan Murphy also schooled Rough Quest for tv prior to the National and was far from impressed, said he didn't bend his back and didn't fancy him, thankfully I took no notice of the doubters.
Dodgy jumpers have succeeded a number of times in the past, Maori Venture & Red Marauder are two others that spring to mind.