Ahead of 2024's Grand National, Animal Rising has communicated its decision not to disrupt the race to Nevin Truesdale personally.
Dan Kidby, Co-Founder of Animal Rising, sent an email to Mr Truesdale and the Jockey Club on Thursday explaining the decision.
Full text:
I hope you are well.
I'm just writing to confirm with you that, as reported in the media, Animal Rising has no intention to disrupt the Grand National.
Animal Rising's actions last year shone a spotlight on the deaths that happen during the Grand National Festival. This light continues to shine and we don't believe disruption is needed to draw attention to this again.
Horses have died almost every single year at the Grand National; the safest bet one could make is that a horse would die. This continues to be the case in spite of rule changes, which are nothing more than a PR exercise to try to win back public opinion.
I pray no horse dies this year or the next, but when they sadly do, the public will see this, and they will be upset and outraged, and your social licence will continue to collapse. There will be nobody to else blame, and people will call for the end of this bloodsport itself.
It grieves me to know that more horses will have to die on your tracks before horse racing ends. As I write this, I think of Hill Sixteen who died on the first fence last year. I think of Eclair Surf who fell at the third fence in 2022 dying from traumatic head injuries. I think of the Long Mile who was killed in 2021 after they broke their leg. I think of Up For Review who fell at the first fence in 2019 and was convulsing on the floor after breaking their neck. I also think of all the others who have died at your events, the horse that dies every other day in British racing, and the countless number who are slaughtered before ever making it onto a racetrack.
Fortunately, society is progressing away from the cruel and barbaric bloodsports. We always are willing to engage in productive and open dialogue about the closure of this industry and the care of horses. I have faith that, as good people, you will one day be willing to have that conversation.
Best wishes,
Dan Kidby
Co-Founder Animal Rising
ENDS
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Notes to Editor:
Animal Rising is a social movement to create a new relationship with all beings and give us a chance for a safe ecological future. The group primarily calls for the transition to a secure and sustainable plant-based food system, alongside a mass rewilding programme.