Many animal lovers and vegans are happy the 2020 Aintree Grand National has been cancelled after officials declared it was not safe to stage the historic race amid the CovID-19 outbreak.
The Jockey Club, which runs Aintree and several of the UK’s leading racecourses cancelled the Grand National festival (April 2-4) at the Liverpool race course after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that mass gatherings would not be supported by emergency services during the pandemic Covid-19 outbreak.
While bookies and fans were disheartened and called the cancellation “a blow to the sport, to betting operators and to racing fans,” social media was full of positive comments after the announcement. Some even called for the festival to be permanently banned.
“Nice one, at least some horses won’t be killed needlessly. the whole thing should be banned,” read one comment on BBC sport’s Twitter page.
“Good. It should be totally stopped. Nothing but murdering horses, it’s not a sport,” commented another.
“That’s one good thing to come out of it at least. Cruel race,” wrote a third.
Euro 2020 has been postponed until 2021 according to the Norwegian FA.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 17, 2020
More here ➡️ https://t.co/pTF0Ce0xKc pic.twitter.com/Htc4GqYK8e
The Grand National
The world-famous steeplechase is one of Britain’s key events and the biggest betting race attracting over 500 million spectators annually.
Another reason this season’s race was eagerly anticipated was because it would have been Tiger Roll’s (a Gordon Ellliott-trained horse) third consecutive attempt to win the race after bagging the £1million prize in 2018 and 2019.
However, after the government advised greater social distancing to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the Jockey Club announced “it is no longer appropriate to stage the event.”
The club also dismissed the idea of staging the historic race behind closed doors stating it was “no longer a viable consideration”.
“The Randox Health Grand National Festival was just three weeks away and it’s very clear to us it will not be possible for the event to take place. Public health must come first,” read a statement released by Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward at the Jockey Club.
“We were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond, but following the new Government measures confirmed this evening to help to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, this is not a viable option.
“I know this is hugely disappointing news for the many people who work in our sport and the many millions who were looking forward to this year’s event, but very sadly these are exceptional times and this is the responsible thing to do.”
Coronavirus in the UK
The virus believed to have originated at a ‘wet market’ – in Wuhan, China in early December last year has proliferated in other countries forcing governments to implement stricter measures to control the spread.
According to latest updates, while more than 1,500 people have tested positive, the death toll of people with coronavirus has reached 55 in the UK.
Share this news if you feel horse racing should be permanently banned.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Bristol crowned most vegan-friendly city in the UK
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 13th January 2021
The city ranked just above London, Edinburgh, and Belfast as one of the top cities for vegans. Bristol has earned the top spot of being the most vegan-friendly city in the UK, according to new research. With over 1 million Brits now taking up a plant-based lifestyle – with many inspired by Veganuary- the study …
Lewis Hamilton awarded knighthood in UK’s New Year Honours list
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 1st January 2021
“All of us congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition of his achievements and look forward to seeing more of his brilliance in 2021.” Lewis Hamilton has added another feather to his cap after he was knighted in the UK’s New Year Honours List, officially declared on Wednesday evening. The honour, which is in recognition of …
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …