Grand National: Punters vow to boycott event after Up For Review is first horse killed since 2012

Punters have vowed never to bet on horse racing again after seeing an animal in convulsions as he died after falling on his neck in the Grand National.

Up For Review was the first horse to be killed at the prestigious race since 2012, and one of three fatalities in the final 48 hours of the three-day event.

About 70,000 spectators at Aintree and millions more television viewers saw the horse land on his neck at the first fence, before appearing to thrash about in pain.

Officials erected screens to block the carcass from race-goers and television cameras.

Horseracing chiefs siad they will review safety of the 30-jump course. But the race came in for a torrent of criticism for its “barbarity”, with some pledging to boycott it in future.

Anthony JD tweeted: “To watch #upforreview suffering so badly live on TV has seriously affected me. I knew as soon as it happened it was bad. Never betting on horse racing ever again and I don’t want to watch another race as long as I live. Poor horse. Looked a beauty who didn’t deserve that.”

Others agreed, saying they felt sick at the “horrific” death and would not bet on the Grand National again.

The “You bet they die”(#Youbettheydie) hashtag was widely used, and many also signed a petition calling for ITV to stop broadcasting the race.

British Horseracing Authority bosses insisted Up For Review felt no pain and died instantly.

The “thrashing” seen was probably convulsions after death, a spokesman said, adding that a post-mortem examination would find the cause of death.

“We will never remove the level of risk to zero, and the same applies to all activity involving horses. However, the level of risk now sits at 0.2 per cent,” said David Sykes, head of equine health and welfare.

But Dene Stansall, a former racing fan, now racing consultant for Animal Aid, said it was the worst Grand National death he had seen.

“Up For Review’s death wouldn’t have been instant – it would have taken a few seconds, maybe up to two minutes,” he said. “The initial pain would have been great.

“You can’t say categorically the spinal column would have broken cleanly. The heart could still be beating and legs twitching after the neck has snapped.”

The 40 runners was far too many, Mr Stansall said.

He said he has seen hundreds of horses suffer broken necks, and some horses left quadriplegic on courses – alive but unable to move their limbs.

Forest des Aigles and Crucial Role were put down after being injured in different races during Ladies Day at Aintree.

In all, 84 horses have died at the Grand National since it began in 1839.

Labour MP Chris Williamson tweeted: “It’s clear that Aintree racecourse is still far too dangerous and inflicts needless cruelty on the horses.”

Ricky Gervais’s comment “Why would you gamble with a horse’s life for fun?” had more than 31,000 likes.

But defenders said racehorses were loved and “treated like royalty”.

The BHA said if evidence showed further improvements could be made, they may be.

After a major review last year a raft of changes, including increasing pre-race examinations, were introduced.

The spokesman added: “Aintree racecourse and the BHA worked together in the run-up to this year’s meeting to ensure preparations to keep the event safe were the best ever.

“However, there’s a level of risk involved in any activity in which horses take part. We work hard as a sport to keep those risks to a minimum and remove avoidable risk. We will take a measured, evidence-based approach to assessing the incidents, which will include reviewing video footage of all incidents and working with jockeys and trainers.”

BHA figures show about 200 horses die on racecourses every year.