GET THE FACTS RIGHT
Russell backs racing’s welfare plan to combat misinformation
LUCINDA RUSSELL insisted “the facts matter” as the dual Grand Nationalwinning trainer welcomed British racing’s front-foot welfare initiative, launched a week before the start of Aintree’s flagship fixture.
The HorsePWR campaign, which includes the new website horsepwr.co. uk, seeks to combat misinformation peddled by its opponents about how the sport treats the thoroughbreds at its core.
Funded by the British Horseracing Authority, Great British Racing and the Jockey Club, the venture has the stated laim of “connecting and engaging with significantly wider audiences”. And it received an emphatic thumbs-up from Kinross-based Russell, victorious in the 2017 National with One For Arthur and seeking backto-back triumphs with last year’s winner Corach Rambler on Merseyside tomorrow week.
The 2023 race was delayed by a protest by the Animal Rising pressure group.
“This is just what racing needs,” said Russell.
“We must provide the facts, help educate, and confront the tough questions head on. The facts matter. We understand our responsibility and respect our horses, and we want to make sure the public know this, too.
“It’s good to see us taking a new approach, showing pride in the lives we give our horses, and challenging and correcting inaccurate information which is put into the public domain by those who are opposed to the sport.”
❒ RAIN is threatening to decimate the weekend’s National Hunt racing programme.
Fontwell and Wexford in Ireland, scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow’s cards at Kelso and Uttoxeter are all subject to inspections today. Kelso at 8am and Uttoxeter at 2pm.