Owner of horse killed in Grand National slams protesters for delaying race

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    The owner of a horse killed in the Grand National has slammed protestors for delaying the start of the race at Aintree.

    80/1 outsider Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury after coming down at the first fence during the showpiece race on Saturday evening. Owner Jimmy Fyffe, who is also a director of Dundee United, has given his thoughts on the passing of the horse and an eventful day at Aintree.

    Fyffe had been in the winners enclosure at Aintree after his horse Florida Dreams won the final race of the meeting later on Saturday.

    READ MORE: Uni student bags share of £500,000 Grand National pot after investing in Corach Rambler

    He told RacingTV, via the Mirror: "I love Aintree. Sadly I lost a horse in the National. The ups and downs of horse racing, it’s crazy.

    "I am absolutely gutted, especially for Sandy and all his team and all the family have come down to see him. It was heartbreaking. But this horse winning this race is good."

    Asked if the animal rights protestors affected the horses, Fyffe added: "Possibly. It didn’t help with all the protestors and the horses walking about for a lengthy time and then going back to the stables and then coming back here. It wasn’t good for the horses whatsoever. It’s happened and it’s not a good thing."

    The start of the race had been delayed by protestors after the stormed the racecourse in an attempt to disrupt proceedings at Aintree.

    Fyffe continued by defending the sport, explaining: "He could be in a field running about and you can lose a horse. The horses get looked after so well by all trainers. I’ve been in all the stables that I’ve got horses and they are looked after like kings.

    "Sadly this has happened today for me and my partner Scott [Townshend, co-owner] but I love the game and invest a lot of money in the game and the horses are looked after so well.

    "They have a great life, they love running so I’ve not got any qualms with staying in this game."

    Hill Sixteen was one of three horses to suffer fatal injuries during the festival, following Envoye Special in Thursday’s Foxhunters Chase and Dark Raven in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on Saturday.

    As for the Grand National, 8/1 pre-race favourite Corach Rambler claimed victory under Derek Fox, two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of runner-up Vanillier.

    READ NEXT:

    • Police arrest 118 Grand National protesters after storming track and delaying race

    • Grand National horse Hill Sixteen dies following fall during Aintree race

    • Loose horse causes Grand National chaos as jockey sent flying over fence

    • Grand National Festival horse who was 199/1 makes everyone else 'look like idiots'

    • Grand National results in full as Corach Rambler wins at Aintree and claims £500k prize

    • Grand National
    • Horse racing

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