Celebre D'Allen

[martin_85]

I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on this situation (hopefully we can have a reasoned debate on here).

I enjoy horse racing but have always preferred flat/AW, partly due to the much reduced risks incurred. I don't begrudge anyone enjoying jumps racing and it has been good to see improvements in safety and welfare over the years.

I didn't watch the Grand National and have not seen footage, so cannot comment on that, but I saw the news that the owners sadly lost Celebre D'Allen and am wondering how a 10 day ban can be the only punishment for the jockey?

The stewards obviously found issue with his treatment of the horse and I appreciate the ban was given prior to this news, but surely it has to be upgraded if we are truly to believe horse welfare is at the forefront of people's concerns in the UK?

I'm sure the jockey didn't intend harm, minor or significant. to the horse, but ultimately has a duty of care which he ignored and the horse suffered the now fatal consequences. That has to be more than a 10-day ban in my view.

 

[Outlander]

Regardless of the jockey situation my view is 13yos should not run in the national any longer, it’s a race for under 10yos now, any horse over 11 is pointless running.

 

[tacker]

I hate to see any animal hurt but if racing keeps bending to the protesters then the sport will be destroyed, ban the national because horses get hurt or killed means all national hunt racing will soon be under attack next quickly followed by flat racing because the sport is inherently risky to horse and jockey. I hope racing doesn't make a scapegoat out of this particular jockey, my opinion is that 10 days is plenty to remind jockeys of their duty of care.

 

[martin_85]

Regardless of the jockey situation my view is 13yos should not run in the national any longer, it’s a race for under 10yos now, any horse over 11 is pointless running.

That sounds like a sensible approach that would remove some of the risk for older horses.

 

[martin_85]

I hate to see any animal hurt but if racing keeps bending to the protesters then the sport will be destroyed, ban the national because horses get hurt or killed means all national hunt racing will soon be under attack next quickly followed by flat racing because the sport is inherently risky to horse and jockey. I hope racing doesn't make a scapegoat out of this particular jockey, my opinion is that 10 days is plenty to remind jockeys of their duty of care.

Appreciate your view on it. I don't want to see a ban on it and I certainly don't want the jockey to become a scapegoat in terms of abuse etc (which we all know would happen with social media), but I fail to see what he was trying to achieve and how a mere 10 days equates to a reasonable punishment.

 

[Outlander]

Just watched it again with focus on this horse, horse emptied very quickly 14 strides before the 2nd last, I think jumping the 2nd last was unavoidable , Jockey knew the horse was virtually unconscious after jumping the 2nd last and dropped his head in what looked like a check on the horses welfare about 2 strides after the 2nd last , but it is unforgivable that the horse was ever asked to continue any further and astonishing being asked to jump the last fence. I’m sure he will be devastated as he clearly knew 2 strides after the 2nd last that was the point he should have geared down and pulled up. Nothing was to be gained, maybe bets are placed on horses just finishing the race but finishing for the sake of it should not be a consideration. Gave it a lovely ride until the horse emptied coming to the 2nd last but lost his mind continuing on a horse stopping that quickly.

 

[LukeyBoy]

My views on the whole sport have drastically changed over the past year, and IMO in an ever changing world the sport is starting to look outdated.
After the death of Michael O'Sullivan and a few horses since and now this I just don't have the same enjoyment.

 

[Outlander]

I remember a few years ago there was the 4 miler at Cheltenham festival for Amateur jockeys and the stewards took a dim view of exhausted horses not being pulled up even though they were running placed the horse Jerrysback was 3rd of 4 finishers and stewards banned Declan Lavery for 10 days after they deemed he continued to finish for a place when the horse should have been pulled up. Lavery won his appeal and the ban was reversed. Phillip Hobbs hailed the decision to quash the ban and was clearly happy with Lavery continuing. Interestingly or not Phillip Hobbs is again the trainer involved with this horse, has he made any view public about Celebre D’Allen continuing in the GN ?

'Justice' after Declan Lavery wins appeal against controversial Cheltenham ban

Philip Hobbs hails verdict after ten-day suspension is quashed

www.racingpost.com

 

[rbtblb82]

I agree that no 13 yro should be running in the race in the 1st place. And the jockey should have pulled him up sooner, but not sure about the punishment.

Also echoing LukeyBoy's comment, although, not so much about welfare, I just think it's on the decline atm, small fields, Mullins domination, smaller crowds, it's just starting to get a bit naff.