The devastating fatality of Giovinco, 7, has prompted the Jockey Club to make drastic changes in an attempt to protect the welfare of racehorses and jockeys. The racing community expressed their support for the Lucinda Russell team, owners, and stable staff during this difficult time.
Others also mourned the loss of Giovinco, indicating the impact of the news from Aintree. In Britain, 14,000 horses benefit from a high level of care and quality of life in the racing industry, with self-imposed and enforced welfare standards.
The industry has invested millions of pounds into veterinary research and education to ensure the welfare of the horses. Injuries can unfortunately occur in horse racing, as well as during training on gallops or at a racecourse.
Research by the Centre for Equine Studies at Liverpool University revealed that horses are nearly five times more likely to sustain serious injuries when in a field at home than during ridden exercise. The Jockey Club has made changes to reduce the risk of accidents during races by moving the first fence 60 yards closer to the start of the race, aiming to slow the early race stages.
Additionally, a standing start has been implemented across all races over the Grand National fences throughout the 2023-24 season and the foreseeable future. These measures seek to reduce the opportunity for horses to build up too much speed at the beginning of the race.
These changes reflect the industry’s commitment to addressing the welfare of racehorses and jockeys, with a focus on improving safety and reducing the risk of incidents during races.
