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Grand National 2012: Neptune Collonges Wins By Photo Finish But Race Marred By Synchronised Tragedy

The Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 14/04/2012 20:14 Updated: 09/05/2012 15:57

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Grand National 2012
Neptune Collonges ridden by Daryl Jacob (left) races against Sunnyhillboy ridden by Richie McLernon (right)

Millions tuned in on Saturday to watch arguably one of the most tense and closely-fought Grand Nationals in history but the nail-biting race was marred by tragedy.

As Neptune Collonges won the 2012 race by a photo finish, beating Sunnyhillboy by a nostril - literally, bookies' favourite Synchronised had to be put down after a fall.

Amid the celebrations, broadcasters announced the horse was one of two to die following falls, the other being According to Pete. Organisers said a third horse Killyglen was receiving treatment but his injuries were not life-threatening.

Punters could certainly not complain the race, now in its 165th year, lacked drama.

Outsider Neptune Collonges, ridden by Daryl Jacob, became the first dapple-grey steed to ever win the famous steeplechase at Aintree, despite being given odds of 33/1.

Jockey Tony McCoy was thrown from the ill-fated Syncronised before even reaching the starting line. The delayed start led to over-excited horses and nervy jockeys making two false starts before the race eventually got underway.

This year's National made history for another reason; jockey Katie Walsh, 27, came closer than any other female before to claiming the coveted prize during her race debut.

She said: "He gave me an unbelievable spin.

"I was wrong a couple of times and he put me right but it is just a fantastic experience and great to get round.

"I want to go out and do it all over again."

Following the deaths of four horses during last year's Merseyside meet organisers adapted the course "significantly", reducing drops on the landing side of the numerous fences.

Julian Thick, Aintree managing director, said in the wake of Saturday's tragedies: "We are desperately sad at these two accidents. When a horse gets hurt, everyone is deeply upset."

He added safety is the "first priority" and organisers would be looking at this year's races to see how the course could be improved.

Paul Nicholls, the trainer of winner Neptune Collonges, said: "Millions of people watch the race many people get pleasure from it.

"We all knew before we came here the risks.

"The horses get looked after brilliantly but unfortunately these things do happen."

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Millions tuned in on Saturday to watch arguably one of the most tense and closely-fought Grand Nationals in history but the nail-biting race was marred by tragedy. As Neptune Collonges won the 2012...
Millions tuned in on Saturday to watch arguably one of the most tense and closely-fought Grand Nationals in history but the nail-biting race was marred by tragedy. As Neptune Collonges won the 2012...
 
 
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Pontimus
0 Fans
 
05:35 PM on 04/15/2012
There is no need to cancel or ban Any races, yes there are tradgedies but there are in any horse sport and Unfortunately because most of these sports are not broadcast on tv or radio not many people are Aware of these,
I mean the racing industry itself is helping to run this country with the millions of pounds being brought in by it. What needs to happen is that thoroughbreds need to be produced with a thicker bone and anatomy, because they are bred for speed by us they are more refined and fragile which can lead to many problems, skeletal, physical or mental. That and because racing is in such high demand there is a lot of youngster wastage leading to the mistreatment of many young horses. What needs to be done is a whole scale investigation into why this is happening and what ways can be introduced to prevent such fatalities as the ones that happened today. Although by lowering the fences the horses are racing over them too fast leading to more accidents on the racecourse, what needs to be done Is either have the fences raised but with a shorter distance or fewer jumps on the same distance.
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hg wells
667 Fans
03:57 PM on 04/15/2012
When they shoot the horse, they should shoot the jockey too.
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MrsFrenchie
4 Fans
12:54 AM on 04/15/2012
There are risks to riding. If a hoof hits a patch of soft ground, a leg can be irreparably damaged. Horses' legs are exceptionally difficult to fix successfully. Trying to lift a wounded horse can, in itself, create fatal injuries because the pressure on the chest is so damaging.

The two deaths were tragic. From what I could see of the race, although Synchronised fell at Beechers, he seemed to be up and running free afterwards. You could see his big white face running on loose jumping all the fences until he appeared to twist and fall taking the 11th fence, landing awkwardly on his off front leg. According to Pete was brought down by another faller at Beecher’s on the second round.

What can be done? The field needs to be cut in half – the entry rules need to be even stricter. Beecher’s needs to be lowered – reducing the drop is not enough. There need to me more run-offs for loose horses – on both sides. The orange painted toe boards have been increased to 14” – they need to be replaced with white rails, like at the Pardubice, to increase visibility.

Finally, it's not about money. People involved in racing love their horses. Most owners lose money. Few apprentices become well paid jockeys and the yards are supported by dedicated grooms who work all hours for a pittance. The steeplechasing community is rooted in the land, they aren’t dripping in bling like other sports professionals.
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Ambiepony
17 Fans
04:17 AM on 04/15/2012
Perfectly put, with excellent safety suggestions. I always say they need to cut the field, as most horses who are seriously injured have been brought down by other horses.
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Ambiepony
17 Fans
09:56 AM on 05/24/2012
Incredibly well put, and excellent safety suggestions. I hope those are the methods they are considering, as they would really help. The danger isn't in the racing, it's too many horses in the field - reducing the number (and the number of horses that shouldn't be there) will make everything safer.
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Nina Buckler Eckhoff
90 Fans
 
12:32 AM on 04/15/2012
BARBARISM is alive and well in Britain.
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werba
203 Fans
10:27 PM on 04/14/2012
Utterly barbaric. 'Jockeys' beating horses until the blood runs down their sides, and each year several horses die on the courses - just so that shrieking chavs can bet on it all. Shameful.
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Ambiepony
17 Fans
04:23 AM on 04/15/2012
Jockeys do not beat "horses until the blood runs down ther sides", and it's ignorant to say so. There are strict rules on the care of the horses, and it's excellent, particularly at this level. The main issue with the National is that the field is too large, and the most danger lies in other horses pulling each other down. These horses love to run, and it's devastating when something like this happens.
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bellederry
0 Fans
06:15 PM on 04/16/2012
do you even know what you are talking about?? a jockey is allowed 7 hits to a horse any more it becomes and instant 5 day ban for the jockey get you fact before you spout stupid comments
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OldJock12
6 Fans
08:50 PM on 04/14/2012
I wonder if this event would be so 'popular' with riders and the public if any jockey falling off faced the prospect of having a tent put round them and being sent to meet their maker.

Also, do we have to despatch these horses? Or are they just too expensive to cure and maintain for their their owners to be bothered?
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DaveScriv
16 Fans
09:52 PM on 04/14/2012
I think badly broken legs are pretty much incurable with horses. A horse can't lay in bed for weeks with plastered legs in the air.
The horses are valuable for breeding (except geldings of course), so even if a fallen horse's racing days are over, if it was possible to treat them, the owners would do so.
I'm just as critical as you about horse racing in general, and this race in particular, so am just saying how it is with badly injured horses.
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SirBlimelyWindy
59 Fans
 
08:43 PM on 04/14/2012
The events of the 2012 Grand National go to show that, while action has been taken to lesson the risk to both horse and jockey, more clearly needs to be done. Two obvious steps would be to lower the number of runners in the race - a 40 horse cavalry charge to the first fence invites trouble - and also to raise the landing area at Becher's Brook to make it level with the take-off - not one could say that it would negate the challenge, as the fences are still a challenge in their own right.

It should also be noted that, even though Aintree is the focus of a lot of vocal criticism of National Hunt racing, action has been taken at the circuit, whereas the fatality count at Cheltenham seems to be greater.
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