Horse death toll sparks renewed calls for Aintree boycott

National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports is calling for a boycott of the Aintree Festival and Grand National race. And it wants to see government intervention to tackle the terrible death toll of horses.

Animal Aid has compiled figures showing that 67 horses have died racing at the festival since the year 2000. 17 horses died after racing in centrepiece race the Grand National.

The League has criticised the British Horseracing Authority and Jockey Club for prioritising gambling profits over the lives of horses.

Emma Slawinski, League Against Cruel Sports chief executive, said:

We are calling on the public and businesses to boycott the Aintree Festival and Grand National, to avoid betting on the races and to switch off the ITV Coverage and advertising which glosses over the cruelty.

The government needs to step in and ensure the welfare of the horses is put before the profits of gambling companies and the horse racing industry.

The British Horseracing Authority is failing the horses used in racing and the death toll keeps on rising every year – I would be delighted but very surprised if we won’t be reporting on more deaths over the next three days of the festival.

Horses will be sacrificed for people’s entertainment, something that should repel a nation of animal lovers.

At 2025’s Aintree Festival, Willy De Houelle died on the first day of racing. Celebre D’Allen died two days after competing in the Grand National.

The League is also calling for a ban on the use of the whip in horse racing. Sweden implemented such a ban in 2022 over concerns for horse welfare.

Slawinski added:

There needs to be a ban on the whip which is being cruelly used to inflict pain and push horses beyond their capabilities.

Horses are being raced to their deaths. The government needs to step in and ensure that the welfare of horses becomes the number one priority and end the sickening death toll which grows ever higher each year the Aintree Festival is held.

Action needs to be taken to stop the British Horseracing Authority and the festival organisers from putting gambling profits before the welfare of the horses.

Featured image via the Canary