 CALL
FOR QUEEN MOTHER HORSE FUND
Animal Aid calls for the Royals to set up a horse fund in the
Queen Mother's name
Animal Aid has today written to Prince Charles suggesting
that a fund for retired racehorses be established in memory of his late grandmother,
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother was a devoted fan of jump racing, enjoying nearly 500 winners
from the time an eight-year-old called Monaveen first wore her racing silks
in 1949.
Every year, around 4000 horses leave racing. Many endure a downward spiral
of neglect. Others are slaughtered for pet food. The racing industry currently
provides just £200,000 a year for the care of retired animals in a scheme
that is less than two years old. This is enough merely to 'retrain' just 50
horses. Animal Aid estimates that at least £5 million annually is required
to provide for the animals most in need at the end of their careers.
In his letter to Prince Charles, Animal Aid director Andrew Tyler comments:
'Your grandmother obtained so much pleasure and satisfaction
from jump racing. A Queen Mother Fund for Retired Racehorses would be a marvellous
and fitting memorial.'
Animal Aid will be staging a large-scale demonstration at this Saturday's Grand
National, with protesters coming from around the country. It will be the first
major demo in memory to be organised by a national animal rights group at the
Aintree course.
In the run-up to the protest, there will be dozens of betting shop demonstrations
around the country. One Foot in the Grave star, Richard Wilson, has added his
support to the Animal Aid protests, and messages
of encouragement have been received from animal protection groups in Germany,
Spain, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Russia and Italy.
See Horse Racing Awareness
Week for the full background.
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Notes to Editors
- More information from Andrew Tyler or Elaine Toland on 01732 364546.
- We have an ISDN line for broadcast-quality radio interviews.
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