The race we need

Yesterday’s Grand National win had all the makings of a story for the history books. Eight year-old I Am Maximus followed up on a win in the 2023 Irish Grand National with a clear and comprehensive seven-and-a-half-length victory. It marked the first win in the race for jockey Paul Townend after 12 previous unsuccessful attempts, and trainer Willie Mullins’ first triumph in nearly 20 years (his last Grand National winner being Hedgehunter in 2005).

It’s been a hell of a year for Mullins, from the personal low of losing his beloved mother in February to the professional high of claiming the 2024 Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup and Grand National. He’s also leading the British trainers’ championship rankings.

With a dozen horses still in contention at the final fence and 21 of the 32 starters finishing the race, the 2024 Grand National has been hailed by audiences and experts alike as a classic renewal.

Nonetheless, there have been some rumblings of discontent. I myself would be lying if I said it was the most exciting Grand National I’ve ever watched – and I backed the winner. But it wasn’t the edge-of-the-seat stuff of past years, where every hedge would be a nail-biting obstacle for the runners.

The simple fact is that in recent years the myriad changes to the race have ultimately reduced the level of challenge that many associate with the National. Smaller jumps, a reduced field of 32 to reduce crowding, and slower pace through a standing start with a shorter approach to the first…such changes make it inevitable that there is less of a test and less of the drama that long-term fans of horse racing expect from the Grand National. It no longer feels like “anyone’s game”, where a 100-1 shot has as good a chance as the favourite.

However, racing in 2024 needs to go further than entertaining the long-term fans: the industry has, of course, to retain those fans but also to encourage a new young audience. Especially in the social media era, where protests from activist groups can be widely disseminated, the reality is that a world-famous race that is labelled dangerous to the animals involved simply will not fly any more.

I am one of many voices arguing until we’re blue in the face about the levels of safety and welfare in racing in the face of vociferous and often poorly-educated opposition. Sadly for the sport, many that oppose racing fall back on the same old arguments and statistics – and Grand National fatalities come at the top of that list.

Yesterday’s race saw the highest number of finishers since 1992, no fallers and – most importantly – no fatalities.

Will a Grand National ever pass without debate? It seems highly unlikely. It is a race that will never please everyone. Long-term followers of racing might find it is no longer the race we’re used to. Some may argue it’s not the race we want. But for the future survival of the sport, it is undoubtedly the race we need.