The British Horseracing Authority says it will “analyse” the races of the Grand National meeting “in painstaking detail” following the deaths of three horses.

Hill Sixteen was destroyed after falling at the first fence during the main Grand National race, following the deaths of Dark Raven and Envoye Special earlier on Saturday and on Thursday respectively.

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said: “Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries this week.

“No one will be more affected by this news than the trainers, owners and stable staff who have provided these horses with first-class care and attention throughout their lives.

“The BHA and Aintree racecourse will now analyse the races in painstaking detail, as is the case every year, to build on our existing data and help us understand what caused these incidents.”

Meanwhile, more than 40 animal rights activists have been de-arrested a day after a large group of protesters tried to gain entry to the Aintree Racecourse track, delaying the Grand National race by 12 minutes, campaigners Animal Rising said.

Some 118 people were arrested by Merseyside Police on Saturday, after the protesters climbed fences and at least two fixed themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices.

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Animal Rising spokesperson Nathan McGovern said: “We believe there were 118 arrests of Animal Rising supporters yesterday, with 68 in custody following the action.

“Five have been released thus far and 42 were de-arrested and turned out onto the street by police. No one has been charged at this time.”

Read more:
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Mr McGovern said the protests were aimed at “prevent(ing) harm from coming to horses”, adding that Hill Sixteen’s death “would have been prevented if the race had not been run”.

“Supporters of Animal Rising do not take the risk of arrest lightly, but taking action to protect animals and nature is more important than upholding business as usual.

“This is just the start of many peaceful actions to really create a national conversation about our fractured connection with animals and our natural world this summer, whether they result in arrests or not.”

Merseyside Police had said: “We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but criminal behaviour and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”

BHA chief executive Ms Harrington said on Sunday: “We respect the right of anyone to hold views about our sport but we robustly condemn the reckless and potentially harmful actions of a handful of people in disrupting the race at a time when horses were in the parade ring.

“Those involved in British racing are rightly proud of our sport and the role it plays in providing an unparalleled quality of life for horses bred for racing. Love and respect for horses is at the heart of everything we do.”

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