Grand National: Aintree reduced to 34 runners in 2024 and changes made to first fence amid horse welfare focus

Racing’s most famous competition, the Randox Grand National at Aintree, will be reduced from 40 to 34 from next year as part of a focus on horse welfare.

Three of this year’s Grand National participants died after suffering injuries during the race, sparking criticism from animal rights campaigner Animal Aid. The race was also targeted by protesters from the group Animal Rising, some of whom entered the track and caused a delay in the start time.

Following its annual review of the Grand National, the Jockey Club, which runs Aintree Racecourse, has announced a series of changes, backed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), as part of the “continuing evolution” of the race.

The major change will see the maximum field size reduced for the first time since 1984, with the Jockey Club stating its aim to reduce the risk of incidents during the race.

Much attention was also focused on the first fence, during which Sandy Thomson’s Hill Sixteen suffered his fatal fall, and the race from the start line.

In response, the Jockey Club will move the first obstacle 60 meters closer to the start and implement a standing start, which will apply to all races crossing the Grand National barriers throughout the 2023-24 season.

The start time of the Grand National, usually 5.

15pm, will be brought forward to ensure Aintree can provide optimal ground conditions and horses will no longer be driven by a handler around the course during the parade past the stands.

Other safety changes include changes to the running rail alignment inside the course to facilitate early capture of loose horses and a reduction of Fence 11 by two inches.

Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, said the changes to the Grand National are part of the organisation’s “relentless focus on wellbeing”.

He said: “I believe that a competitive, fair and safe Randox Grand National is one of the best ways to ensure that the sport continues to thrive for generations to come and remains an important part of the culture and of the British economy.

“This means that our sport, like many other sports, must recognize when steps need to be taken to evolve, as the safety and care of horses and jockeys will always be our number one priority. In making these changes at Aintree, we underline our continued focus on wellbeing and our commitment to powering the future of British racing.

Sulekha Varma, Head of Racing at the North West Jockey Club and Racing Director at Aintree, led the review process and said: “The welfare of our racehorses and jockeys is our number one priority at Aintree and we have invested significantly in equine welfare over recent years. many years.

“We continually review the Grand National and, following a thorough, evidence-based review process this year, we are announcing several changes as part of its continued evolution.”

Addressing the reduction in peloton size, Varma added: “We know from research papers and internal analyzes of obstacle races that there is a direct correlation between the number of runners and the risk of falling, of overturning or being knocked over.

“However, we must also consider that reducing the peloton too much could create a faster race and have a negative impact in terms of safety.

Using the information we have and considering the experiences of the participants, our conclusion is that 34 should be the maximum number of riders in the race which we hope will result in the fewest incidents.”

Regarding the changes to the first fence, Varma added: “Moving the first fence will reduce the possibility of gaining too much speed on the approach and the reintroduction of the standing start should also help reduce speed.”

Dual Randox Grand National winner trainer Lucinda Russell, who guided One For Arthur (2017) and Corach Rambler (2023) to success in the Aintree spectacular, has given her support to the announced changes.

She said: “I think these changes announced today are a clear sign once again that Aintree and the Jockey Club continue to be proactive in trying to support the Grand National and the wider sport of horse racing .

“I am fully in favor of reducing the size of the peloton and I don’t think six fewer riders will make a difference to the legacy of the race. This can only be a good step and will hopefully help to improve departure procedures.”

Russell added: “The level of welfare in racing is phenomenal and something we should be proud of. Once again Aintree is trying to make things safer.

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