Grand National to reduce number of horses to 34 and soften fences in bid to make famous race safer
The Grand National is implementing a series of significant changes that will take effect from next year in an effort to make the world’s most famous steeplechase safer for horses and jockeys
LONDON (AP) — The Grand National is implementing a series of significant changes, taking effect from next year, in an effort to make the world’s most famous steeplechase safer for horses and jockeys.
They include reducing the field from 40 horses — the size since 1984 — to 34, softening the fences by using foam and rubber toe boards, and moving the first fence closer to the start to stop horses building up too much speed.
The race will also start earlier in the day, so the course stays as soft as possible, and the horses will set off from a standing start.
Sixteen horses have died in the Grand National since the turn of the century. The race, which takes place over 30 fences and typically in front of 70,000 spectators at Aintree and a global TV audience, is among the biggest occasions on the British sporting calendar and is also regarded as one of the most dangerous horse races in the world because of the size of the fences.
