LONDON (AP) — A review of this year’s Grand National steeplechase has concluded that the deaths of two horses, including pre-race favorite Synchronised, were unavoidable.
The British Horseracing Authority says in a report released on Tuesday that “it was apparent that factors one could neither have foreseen nor prevented were prevalent in the events that led to the two horses sustaining their injuries.”
The 2012 National was the first since an extensive safety review, yet the fatalities of Synchronised and According to Pete increased to 10 the number of horses to die in the race in the past 12 years.
The BHA says it is “too early to speculate” on any future alterations to the format of the event following renewed calls by animal welfare groups.
