The Grand National

Some things can’t be ignored, and last week’s Randox Grand National is one. It’s for that reason I’m stretching the remit of the feature this week, in praise of Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell’s incredible Grand National win with Corach Rambler on Saturday. I am also taking a look at civil resistance activist Orla Coghlan.

Fastest horse

No fluke, this is Lucinda’s second clinching of the big one at Aintree. Only three horses trained in Scotland have won the Grand National and Russell is responsible for two of them; winning it for the first time in 2017 with One For Arthur.

Lucinda is, to my mind, the horsewoman’s horsewoman and is worthy of our admiration, not just for the wins but for the particular passion and care she affords the thoroughbred both on and off the track.

“It was always thoroughbreds,” she told me a couple of weeks ago. “I think that’s because they are just a bit more sensitive and a bit more intelligent, sharp, quick to pick things up – it’s because in their mind they have to run to survive.

"It’s the fastest horse that doesn’t get eaten by the tiger...they are exceptionally intelligent, we owe them so much.”

Disruption

Another who garnered attention last weekend was 28-year-old Irish woman Orla Coghlan, who is a volunteer for civil resistance group Animal Rising.

Orla appeared on Good Morning Britain to promote her cause and to drum up support for protest at, and the disruption of, the Grand National. Animal Rising state their aims as operating for a plant-based food system, to support farmers in that transition and to rewild the freed-up land.

Orla, who was also amongst a small group of women who protested at last year’s Epsom Derby, told Belfast Live last week: “I’m very passionate about animal agriculture and [its] impact on the climate crisis, and Animal Rising really ties in with that.

“We need to have a really public conversation about the way we treat animals. That’s not just in entertainment, it’s also in our food system. I really believe most people care about animals and at least don’t want to harm them, but our actions as a society are not really aligned with those values.

“If the laws that we have are not protecting animals or vulnerable people in our society, with the climate crisis, we believe it’s necessary to take direct action.”

Fall-out

Saturday’s subsequently very messy race was delayed by around 15 minutes after protestors got on to the track and attempted to attach themselves to the fences. The fall-out from that and the cause of death of horse Hill Sixteen, became public debate across what I’m sure was many a dinner table, including mine.

There were some cross words exchanged between my mother and I on Sunday. In stirring up those conversations, some would argue Animal Rising’s job was done, but debate is not solely what Animal Rising is after. They’re deadly serious on stopping racing.

Orla has said that they have other horse racing events in their sights. So, what next?

Conflict resolution

As with many of the gravest binary debates in modern history, the conflict resolution process begins with a willingness to listen to the opposite view and invite a frank discussion.

I’ve obsessively followed the social media temperature since Saturday, it’s safe to say discussions have certainly been frank. I suspect the listening stage is yet to be achieved.

Statistics and opinions have come hard and fast from contributors on all sides of the divide since the weekend’s race:

I’m left wondering what common ground people may ever have on this? At the very least, the negation of horse deaths and jockey injury from the sport would be the thing everyone could agree on, wouldn’t it?

Sadly, I don’t think even that will pacify those in opposition to racing who believe it must end.

Meanwhile, Orla plans to continue direct action. Lucinda is mooting plans for Corach Rambler in the Gold Cup next year, and how we move forward remains to be seen.