Ballabriggs at 16-1 gave the new generation of the McCain family victory in a race which will always be associated with their name when grinding out success in a bruising renewal of the John Smith's Grand National.

 

Donald McCain, whose father trained Red Rum to win the race three times, successes which helped elevate the contest into a national institution, enjoyed his first victory in the world's most famous jumps race since taking over the licence from his father in 2006.

 

But the race came not without its share of unwanted controversy, with two horses killed and the winning horse heading straight back to the racecourse stables after the race after showing signs of dehydration after the winning post.

 

Instead it was left to jockey Jason Maguire to take the cheers of the sell-out crowd as he walked back to the winner's enclosure with Ballabriggs left to enjoy being splashed in buckets of cold water, which were thankfully in ready supply given the unseasonal high temperatures at the track.

 

Having taken up the lead at halfway, Maguire's mount relished the challenge of the fences and produced some impressive jumps in front after one memorable bad blunder at Valentine's Brook.

 

Going to the second-last fence, there were still five runners in with a clear chance, Niche Market doing his best to get past the leader but under maximum pressure.

 

It was only after the final fence that Irish National runner-up Oscar Time (14-1) emerged as the greatest danger to the winner and the pair set down to battle it out up the run-in. For one brief moment at the Elbow when Sam Waley-Cohen switched Oscar Time out to challenge, it looked as if he might reel in the leader, but Ballabriggs found more and scored by 2¼ lengths.

 

Don't Push It (9-1) tried gallantly to become the first horse since Red Rum himself to win the race twice and kept on bravely under Tony McCoy for third place, while State of Play (28-1) came from a long way back to finish fourth and make the frame in the race for the fourth consecutive years.

 

A total of 19 horses completed the course. Favourite The Midnight Club finished sixth.

 

Maguire rode the race with his right hand heavily bandaged after a heavy fall on the opening day of the meeting.

 

"This is crazy," said the jockey. "I've got to thank Donald, Mr Hemmings, my mother and father, everybody. It's a dream come true. I tried to get in the first 10 early on so that if he did make a mistake we hadn't as much ground to make up. He loved it and was jumping from fence to fence. He was attacking every one.

 

"I got him to the front to get him relaxed and put breathers into him and that helped him get the trip. There was a question mark about him getting the trip, but Donald has done a great job. I don't know what I feel. I'm just overwhelmed."

 

McCain, for whom Maguire rides as stable jockey, added: "We've always thought this might be an Aintree horse and you only need to see the way he's taken to this place today. Good horses are easy to train. Everything has gone smoothly all year and he had a nice prep at Kelso last time.

 

"He's just an absolute pleasure to deal with, I know he's won a Grand National, but he is. I've been involved in Grand Nationals all my life and you come here and you realise what this place is all about. It's hot out there and he had been up there all the way. He gives his everything, he doesn't hold anything back. He is coming round fine now thankfully, he was just tired."

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/apr/09/grand-national-2011-ballabriggs-win

 

 

Did anyone win big on the big race today?

Only 19 of the 40 entries finished the 4 1/2-mile (7.2-kilometer) race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, and host broadcaster BBC reported that two horses, Dooneys Gate and Ornais, died after falls.

Outside Aintree, animal rights campaigners protested against the 400 horses they claim are killed annually on English race tracks.

 

 

 

 

Seeing those two horses covered in tarpaulins was rather sickening, and took the shine off the race IMO.:(

Notice they didn't mention either of the horses which died, though......................

Only 19 of the 40 entries finished the 4 1/2-mile (7.2-kilometer) race at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, and host broadcaster BBC reported that two horses, Dooneys Gate and Ornais, died after falls.

Outside Aintree, animal rights campaigners protested against the 400 horses they claim are killed annually on English race tracks.

 

 

 

 

Seeing those two horses covered in tarpaulins was rather sickening, and took the shine off the race IMO.:(

 

I didn't see that on the coverage but I agree it's really taken the shine off the race and even though I backed the winning horse it has taken the joy off winning.

I didn't see that on the coverage but I agree it's really taken the shine off the race and even though I backed the winning horse it has taken the joy off winning.

 

I'm amazed you didn't see it if you were watching live. It's the reason two of the fences were written off on the second circuit. One of the horses had a big yellow tarpaulin covering it, and they appeared to have erected some kind of enclosure around the second, presumably as it was still alive at the time.

Very disturbing and sad, anyway.:(

 

I'm not surprised Ballabriggs won, though, as he looked extremely calm before the race.

I'm amazed you didn't see it if you were watching live. It's the reason two of the fences were written off on the second circuit. One of the horses had a big yellow tarpaulin covering it, and they appeared to have erected some kind of enclosure around the second, presumably as it was still alive at the time.

Very disturbing and sad, anyway.:(

 

I'm not surprised Ballabriggs won, though, as he looked extremely calm before the race.

 

I didn't pick up on it either. I was watching it in town and I don't think any of the people who were watching it with me noticed it. Sad news indeed. Unfortunately it seems to be happening pretty much every year.

 

Apparently the BBC is accused of covering up the deaths

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8440520/BBC-attacked-for-covering-up-Grand-National-deaths.html

 

I had no luck on the betting this year. One of my horses didn't even finish.

I didn't pick up on it either. I was watching it in town and I don't think any of the people who were watching it with me noticed it. Sad news indeed. Unfortunately it seems to be happening pretty much every year.

 

Apparently the BBC are accused of covering up the deaths

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8440520/BBC-attacked-for-covering-up-Grand-National-deaths.html

 

 

Well they avoided mentioning during the race, that's for sure. I guess that was to be expected, though.

Well they avoided mentioning during the race, that's for sure. I guess that was to be expected, though.

 

Ahhh of course they cut out two fences half way round or something like that. I never noticed it happened at those fences though. Desperately sad news and I feel for the trainers and owners of those horses. Took the sparkle off what was a fantastic day of racing.

 

edit: just read the Telegraph article and seen that picture. It's very clear now seeing that helicopter image. I don't blame the BBC for 'covering up' or anything. It's a "no time for other speak" commentating sport if you get what I mean as it's constantly on the move.

Grand National carnage: Millions watch in horror as two horses die and then are described as 'an obstacle' by BBC race commentator

 

 

By Ian Gallagher

Last updated at 11:28 PM on 9th April 2011

 

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Two horses died during today’s Grand National in one of the most ‘distressing’ races in recent history.

Millions of TV viewers saw Ornais fall at the fourth fence, breaking his neck, while Dooneys Gate broke its back minutes later at Becher’s Brook.

It meant that for the first time in the race’s history the two fences were bypassed during the second circuit of the Aintree track – as the horses were hastily screened off with tarpaulins.

But there was fury after a TV commentator allegedly described the dead horses lying on the course as an ‘obstacle’.

 

Distressing sight: Runners and riders lie in a tangle on the ground after jumping the notorious Becher's Brook where Dooneys Gate died today

 

Andrew Tyler of Animal Aid said the remark was ‘obscene’. Labelling the gruelling four-and-a-half mile marathon as one the most ‘distressing’ races he could recall, he added: ‘It should have no future in a civilised country. The BBC deserves particular condemnation for all but concealing news of the deaths.

‘It is particularly callous and disgusting that a member of the commentary team should describe the dead horses as they lay on the course as an “obstacle”.’

Aintree said the by-passing practice became possible two years ago for the first time as part of ‘ongoing safety improvements’.

More than half the 40 runners failed to make the finish line.

Tony Moore, chairman of Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe, led a group of around 40 people demonstrating outside the racecourse. He said: ‘If they really care about horses, why do the owners, jockeys and trainers put them through this ordeal? These deaths are not only sad, they are inevitable.’

 

Covered up: A dead horse is hidden by tarpaulin as the race continues over on the far side of the Aintree course

 

 

 

The League Against Cruel Sports accused race organisers of ‘ritual animal cruelty’.

On average, three horses are fatally injured over the three-day Aintree meeting. Ornais, ridden by Nick Scholfield, came to grief at the fourth fence.

The nine-year-old was one of four horses in the race trained by Paul Nicholls, who said: ‘He was a very good novice chaser in his early days. We looked after him through a severe leg injury for two years and it is bad luck and very sad to lose a horse in this way.

‘I feel gutted for his owners, the Stewart family, who are great supporters of the jumping game, and together we’ll get through it.’

 

Tragedy: Dooneys Gate, in the centre of the picture one of the race's two fatalities ridden by Paul Mullins, falls at Becher's Brook

 

 

Over: Grand Slam Hero and Aidan Coleman at the 13th fence. Just 19 of the field of 40 finished the race

 

Dooneys Gate came down two fences later at Becher’s Brook. Irish trainer Willie Mullins, whose son Patrick was having his first National ride on the horse, said: ‘He was dead when the vets got to him and we are not sure how he died.’

The ten-year-old was owned by Mr Mullins’s wife Jackie. ‘He was a good servant to us. It’s very unfortunate and Patrick is devastated,’ he added.

Viewers could clearly see the dead horses being covered with tarpaulins from an aerial camera.

The BBC’s Grand National presenter Clare Balding later tweeted: ‘Very sorry to report two fatalities at the Grand National – thoughts with all those connected with Ornais & Dooneys Gate.’

 

Going ...Mark Walsh and Quolibet

 

 

Going ... The rider knows he's in deep trouble

 

Gone ... The pair crash to the ground at the 11th

 

 

 

 

Julian Thick, managing director of Aintree Racecourse, said: ‘We are desperately sad at the accidents and our thoughts go out to the connections of Ornais and Dooneys Gate. When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset.

‘Safety is the first priority for the organisers of the Grand National meeting and we will redouble our efforts to make sure that everyone involved in the event – the horses, the jockeys, the spectators – is able to participate in safety and comfort.

‘Horseracing is a very carefully regulated and monitored sport. All horses and riders in the Grand National have to meet very high standards set by an independent panel of experts. The Grand National is a well-organised and professional race.’

A BBC spokesman said: ‘We were aware of the unfortunate events of the two fatalities. During the race and the re-run this was covered with as much sensitivity as possible.

‘Clare (Balding) was also most sensitive in her reporting of the incidents and even touched on it in her closing links to the programme.’

Watched by 600 million people worldwide, the race was won by Ballabriggs, which finished ahead of Oscar Time ridden by Kate Middleton’s friend Sam Waley-Cohen.

The National, described as the world’s greatest steeplechase, is worth a record £950,000 in prize money, making it the richest jump race in Europe. Bookmakers William Hill said more than £250 million was gambled today.

 

 

33 tragedies at course in just 11 years

 

By JO MACFARLANE

In all 33 horses have died during three-day Grand National meetings at Aintree since 2000 – and it is unusual for no horse to be killed as a result of the main race itself.

In 2000 five horses died over the three days. The high death toll prompted animal rights activists to describe it as a ‘blood bath’ and call for an investigation.

Strong Promise, Rossell Island and Architect all suffered fatal falls on the first day of the meeting while Lake Kariba had a heart attack at the end of a race. Toni’s Tip sustained fatal spinal injuries during a race the following day.

 

Close up: Horses attempting the notoriously difficult Becher's Brook at the Grand National

 

In 2001, The Outback Way also died from spinal injuries. Of the four deaths in 2002, two – The Last Fling and Manx Magic – happened during the Grand National race itself. Desert Mountain and Anubis Quercus died in earlier races at the meeting.

Goguenard had to be put down after the 2003 Grand National and Coolnagorna was also put down after breaking a hind leg. Unusually, there were no deaths in 2004.

But Lilium de Cotte died after suffering a haemorrhage on the middle day of the 2005 meeting, and two horses – Terivic and Tyneandthyneagain – were killed in 2006. Tyneandthyneagain perished after falling at the first fence in the main race.

The 2007 meeting saw the deaths of three horses.

Lord Rodney and Into The Shadows were killed in races before the main event.

Falling: Riders and horses fall in the melee at Becher's Brook

 

 

 

Dramatic: Several horses fall at Becher's, captured here in dramatic close up

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Graphic Approach died a month after sustaining injuries at the notorious Becher’s Brook fence during the Grand National.

Another three horses were killed in 2008: Time To Sell, The High Grass and McKelvey. McKelvey had become something of a star after featuring on BBC1’s The One Show as he was treated for a tendon injury and prepared for the iconic race.

But 2009 was an even worse year, with five deaths – the worst toll since 2000.

Hear The Echo collapsed and died at the end of the big race on the Saturday, while Exotic Dancer, Mel In Blue, Moscow Catch and Lilla Sophia died earlier during the meeting.

A further four died last year, 2010, although none of them during the main Grand National race. Pagan Starprincess, Prudent Honour, Plaisir D’Estraval and Schindlers Hunt all fell during previous races.

This year, one of the bloodiest for the Grand National itself, two horses, Ornais and Dooneys Gate, died during the main race. Inventor fell on Thursday.

Animal Aid claims 162 horses have died on race courses in Britain over the past 12 months.

The organisation’s website carries a feature called Race Horse Death Watch, which keeps a running record of racing tragedies up and down the country.

 

 

And they're off! The horses make their way down to the first fence in the John Smith's Grand National

 

On his way: Ballabriggs ridden by Jason Maguire in green and yellow silks leaps over the water jump on his way to winning the Grand National

 

 

 

Winner: Jockey Jason Maguire celebrating after romping home by two and a quarter lengths on Ballabriggs

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1375210/Grand-National-2011-Ballabriggs-wins-day-drama-Aintree.html#ixzz1J4dhXvRl

So they have a dig at the BBC then show a fuckload of pictures of horses slamming into the turf?

That's the Daily Mail for you.

They were criticising the BBC for covering it up, so I don't see what the problem is.:dozey:

Look at the headline Mark.

Going going gone captions - it's not really an article which those in the Fight Against Animal Cruelty would be pleased reading. The images, particularly of Dooney's Gate, was excessive and not clever particularly in an article about the BBC's supposed 'insensitivity' which I feel has been blown out of all proportion. They talked about bad news after the race and on the highlights. It's not the commentators job to send out an obituary while the race is ongoing. Sports commentating, especially horse racing, doesn't allow for discussion as I posted earlier.

Look at the headline Mark.

 

Grand National carnage: Millions watch in horror as two horses die and then are described as 'an obstacle' by BBC race commentator

 

Unless you're suggesting the Mail is also describing those horses as "obstacles" (clearly not), I reckon you're barking up the wrong tree.:dozey:

I don't know, I think it's a bit like those F1 season reviews that only show you the crashes.

 

Some people like to see these kind of pictures because they're spectacular. I don't think they're genuinely concerned about the animals.

You could say the same about photos and videos of all those natural disasters. It's just how the media works.

Grand National carnage: Millions watch in horror as two horses die and then are described as 'an obstacle' by BBC race commentator

 

Unless you're suggesting the Mail is also describing those horses as "obstacles" (clearly not), I reckon you're barking up the wrong tree.:dozey:

 

No I'm saying that there was no need to include it in the headline. The main news was the horses dying, not what the BBC said. Looks like they had it in for them if you ask me.

You could say the same about photos and videos of all those natural disasters. It's just how the media works.

 

It's rare to show somebody or something actually dying in a newspaper. I'd say that lacked taste. A body covered could have been fine but them ploughing into the turf alongside other pictures of the rest of the proceedings seems like they need to put their priorities in perspective if they are going to try and take the moral high ground.

Not that I'm surprised. The Daily Mail are scummy fuckers.

Shame on you for reading it.

It's rare to show somebody or something actually dying in a newspaper. I'd say that lacked taste. A body covered could have been fine but them ploughing into the turf alongside other pictures of the rest of the proceedings seems like they need to put their priorities in perspective if they are going to try and take the moral high ground.

 

There has been plenty of video footage of people being shot dead or swept away by tsunamis. All the media does it, including the BBC. You could argue that none of it is really necessary.:dozey:

Critical condition: Peter Toole was injured in a race preceding yesterday's Grand National

 

Jockey Peter Toole is in a critical condition in hospital after being hurt in a heavy fall at Aintree on Grand National Day.

Toole was injured when his mount, the outsider Classic Fly, crashed to the ground in the early stages of the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase, the 2.15pm race on the card yesterday.

The 22-year-old has been put in a medically-induced coma after he suffered bleeding on the right side of his brain and a dislocated shoulder.

 

His fall came before two horses died during yesterday’s Grand National in one of the most ‘distressing’ races in recent history.

The 22-year-old Irishman was taken to the nearby Fazakerley Hospital then later transferred to the hospital's Walton Centre For Neurology & Neuro Surgery.

Trainer Charlie Mann, to whom Mr Toole is attached as a conditional jockey, said: 'He's in an induced coma and he won't be brought out until Monday at the earliest.

'He has bleeding on the right-hand side of his brain. He also dislocated a shoulder which has since been put back in place.

'He's on a ventilator, and it's not great - but we won't know any more until Monday.'

Weighing-room colleague David Crosse added: 'Ive spoken to Peter's dad who said he remains stable, but with no improvement.

'He's going to be sedated for 24 hours.'

During the Grand National, millions of TV viewers saw Ornais fall at the fourth fence, breaking his neck, while Dooneys Gate broke his back minutes later at Becher’s Brook.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1375210/Grand-National-2011-Ballabriggs-wins-day-drama-Aintree.html#ixzz1J8zW41fd

There has been plenty of video footage of people being shot dead or swept away by tsunamis. All the media does it, including the BBC. You could argue that none of it is really necessary.:dozey:

 

Read everything else I put too.

Are you gonna post as many stories on horse racing as Rooney ones Mark? You really are reactionary. These things happen all the time, and you wouldn't be posting them unless The Daily Mail hadn't picked it as their flavour of the week. Had the Grand National not happened you would not have linked to the newer story.

Read everything else I put too.

 

I did, and a BBC spokesperson couldn't have said it any better.

I did, and a BBC spokesperson couldn't have said it any better.

 

I would be more than happy if I was the equivalent of a BBC spokesperson, and you a Daily Mail spokesperson. Do you honestly read the Daily Mail all the time?