The start of The Grand National, an annual major horse race in the United Kingdom, has been postponed today because a group of animal activists protested on the track. They stormed the race course, holding on to the hurdles that the horses have to jump over. The police have arrested a total of 118 people on suspicion of involvement in the disturbance.
Eyewitnesses said about fifteen people entered the track. The police speak of a large group that tried to reach the track, but only nine succeeded. Those nine people have been arrested.
The activists had chosen The Grand National horse race for their protest. That is the most important horse race of the year in Britain. Action groups had already announced a storm in advance. They hoped to come with a group of up to three hundred people.
The Animal Rising group is concerned about the condition of the horses. The activists say that it is common for race horses to die from the strenuous exercise. There are said to be more than 50 race horse deaths in the UK this year alone. Three horses died this year during the Grand National festival, which lasts three days.
After a fifteen minute delay, the race could start. The competition was won by the horse Corach Rambler, already the favorite for the win.
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