Grand National: Animal Rising activists rule out disrupting Aintree race

Activist group Animal Rising says it will not disrupt the Grand National on 13 April and is suspending its campaign of direct action against horse racing.

Last year’s National at Aintree was delayed by 14 minutes after protesters from the group entered the track.

Police arrested 118 people on the day of the race, in which the gelding Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury.

Animal Rising said it was satisfied its actions had started a national conversation about racehorse welfare.

“This year we want to let Aintree know – we don’t need to be there to affect change,” read a statement from the group.

Spokesman Nathan McGovern told the Guardian:, external “Never say never. But is disrupting races going to be the most effective way to end horse racing? We think not, because we think the public has already made that decision for themselves.”