Grand National: Animal Rising activists rule out disrupting Aintree race
- Published
Protesters delayed the start of the 2023 Grand National
Activist group Animal Rising says it will not disrupt the Grand National on 13 April and is suspending its campaign of direct action against horse racing.
Last year's National at Aintree was delayed by 14 minutes after protesters from the group entered the track.
Police arrested 118 people on the day of the race, in which the gelding Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury.
Animal Rising said it was satisfied its actions had started a national conversation about racehorse welfare.
"This year we want to let Aintree know - we don't need to be there to affect change," read a statement from the group.
Spokesman Nathan McGovern told the Guardian:, external "Never say never. But is disrupting races going to be the most effective way to end horse racing? We think not, because we think the public has already made that decision for themselves."
This year's National will be reduced to a maximum of 34 runners from 40 as part of measures designed to improve safety.
Organisers have brought the race forward an hour and 15 minutes to 16:00 BST to provide safer ground for runners, and there will be a shorter run to the first fence to slow horses down early on.
The introduction of a standing start and further veterinary checks are among other changes.
This week British racing launched a communications campaign and website which says "high welfare and safety standards" underpin the sport.
More than 30 protestors were arrested at last summer's Derby at Epsom, despite organisers successfully applying for a court injunction to prevent animal rights groups from disrupting the event.