I accept in watching racing and following it on a day to day basis that horses will sometimes pay the ultimate price.
It is something that does wrangle with me, particularly so when a horse is lost, but ultimately I have come to a determination that I do not consider that racing is cruel, as you do. I have witnessed first hand the level of care and love afforded to these animals and that affection in my view provides them with a very high quality of life. I appreciate that there are people who approach racing from a different, primarily financial viewpoint, but that is not my key interest in the sport. It is one of appreciation of these majestic creatures, triggered by watching the Nicholls' string go out to exercise every morning on my way to school and college.
I witnessed Simonsig break his leg in front of me at Cheltenham and it made me sick for a good time afterwards. Seeing Nicky Henderson and his lass in agony, who adored that magnificent animal and cared for him as if he was their own, was heartbreaking. I'd honestly struggle to recall being in a more sombre environment than that and the thought of walking away from it all crossed my mind numerous times after the event.
There is always more that can and should be done to afford horses the quality of life they deserve. Accountability of retired horses certainly needs be improved and should be straightforward enough to do so. I know that there are hundreds of retired jumpers near to where I grew up, but I'd love to know where some of my old favourites currently are from elsewhere in the country. Trainers are increasingly providing this information themselves, but the BHA need to regularise it in full, for each and every horse that is under their care.
