A debate is being sought on the age at which horses should be allowed to take part in jumps races, following the news that the popular Big Fella Thanks was put down due to injuries he sustained in a race at Cheltenham in May, when he was unusually senior for a steeplechaser at 15 years old. Representatives of Animal Aid and the RSPCA have urged racing to consider the issue because, although the sport has a raft of welfare-related measures in place, there is no upper limit on the age of runners, even for the most challenging races like the Gold Cup and the Grand National.
As was reported at the time, Big Fella Thanks fractured the cannon bone in a foreleg on landing over the first fence in Cheltenham’s back straight, when he was joint-favourite for a hunter chase. He was immediately pulled up by his jockey, Noel George, allowing for hopes that he could be saved for retirement.
What has not previously been reported is that those hopes failed. Big Fella Thanks is recorded by the British Horseracing Authority as having died some time before 30 May, three weeks after the Cheltenham race, but there has been no acknowledgment of the fact on the website of his trainer, Tom George. The most recent entry about him there is from the morning of the Cheltenham race, stating: “He owes us nothing and it’s highly likely that this will be his last run before retirement.” A visibly upset George declined to discuss the horse on Sunday.
Dene Stansall, a spokesman for the animal rights organisation Animal Aid, said: “Big Fella Thanks deserved a long retirement where he was free to graze, relax, be himself and receive care through old age.” He pointed to the horse’s decade-long service, during which time he won eight races and a quarter of a million in prize money, and was good enough to be fourth in the Grand National seven years ago.
While Animal Aid would prefer an end to all horse racing, Stansall said that on a pragmatic basis it would like to see changes introduced for the benefit of runners and he asserts that older horses are more vulnerable to injury. “At the age of 12, we would say: that’s it for racehorses,” he said. “These veterans’ races that they have now, horses can take part in those from the age of 10. Big Fella Thanks was half of that again.”
David Muir, who speaks for the RSPCA, said he planned to raise the subject with the BHA in January during the annual welfare meeting he has with the sport’s rulers and other stakeholders. “It should definitely be looked at. It’s a particularly bad thing to see a horse of that age die on a racecourse,” Muir said.
“But putting an age limit on might not be the right thing. You could look at the length and type of race the older horses could take part in. It’s something that has to be debated but I don’t think there’s a simple answer.” Racecourse vets usually examine older runners for physical soundness before they take part and have the power to order withdrawals.
It is understood that connections of Big Fella Thanks view his injury as a freak accident which could have occurred to a horse of any age, like the six-year-old Fayonagh who broke a leg while cantering at her home in Ireland last week. They believe Big Fella Thanks was in peak condition, having been third of 28 in the Aintree Foxhunters in April, when he was the oldest runner by three years, and they deny that his death has any welfare implication.
The BHA said it was prepared to listen if anyone can supply evidence that advancing age puts horses at increased risk. “Any fatal injury on a British racecourse is a cause for sadness,” a spokesman said.
“It is the BHA’s role to do what it can to make racing safer for its human and equine participants. The fatality rate within British racing has reduced by a third in the last 20 years, down to just below 0.2%.
“Despite the best efforts of all involved, there is an inherent risk of injury which can never be eradicated entirely. This applies to any activity involving horses, whether they are turned out in a field, exercising at home or doing what they are bred to do: race.
“The BHA’s policy towards all welfare matters is to take an evidence-based approach. Should data arise which indicates that horses with certain characteristics - such as age - are more at risk than others, then we would consider whether any action is necessary to protect those horses. The welfare of our participants must come first at all times.”
Chris Cook’s tips for Monday
Redcar
12.00 Spanish Mane 12.30 Swiss Chocolate 1.05 Sea Youmzain 1.40 Miningrocks 2.15 Nordic Combined 2.50 Straight Away 3.25 Rapid Ranger 4.00 Awesome Allan
Leicester
12.15 Red Cymbal 12.45 Storm Jazz 1.20 Master The World 1.55 Mazyoun 2.30 Sans Souci Bay (nap) 3.05 Haylah 3.40 Maybride 4.10 True Companion
Ayr
1.30 Global Stage 2.05 Saint Freule 2.40 Robintheaulad (nb) 3.15 Wood Pigeon 3.50 Minella Suite 4.20 Dunkereen
