18/05/2023, 12:45
Sandy Thomson adamant protests contributed to fatal fall of Hill Sixteen I At The Races Hill Sixteen had previously raced over the National fences twice, finishing second in the 2021 at the races se and sN6ROVthltWonFsRFEIIIVITAg inpapsagm6TgeeyER NEWS TIPS BLOGS STABLE
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to the pre-parade ring as the authorities attempted to quell the protests. 0 '2 "We took Hill Sixteen back to the stable and took his saddle off, because we had no idea what ra
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was going to happen," added Thomson.
7r 03 "We put some water on him to rehydrate him a bit, because it was a warm day. Then suddenly M ,-, it was all a bit of a rush.
'Ted Walsh was beside us and his horse (Any Second Now) had top weight, so he'd taken the saddle off. He said, 'Listen, they're not going to go without us'.
"Everybody was quite hyper and it doesn't help the horse at all. People can turn round and say that's a load of rubbish, but it's not a load of rubbish. ra cu 'That's why we have red hoods, blinkers and cheekpieces and things, just to help keep them in u_ the best frame of mind possible."
In the aftermath of the fatal fall, Thomson was adamant that much of the blame lay with the protestors, and his view has not changed.
He added: "I stand by what I say, they are totally ignorant about anything to do with horses.
"We are getting fed up in this country and somebody's got to start doing something about these people.
"Most people are going about their lawful business and you get them (protestors) lying on roads and things. We've got to take a much firmer stance.
"Unfortunately, with social media and things, it is far too easy for somebody to start a thread up and all these people jump on the bandwagon.
'The other thing, and this is what the MPs have got to work out - you keep hearing that half their mailbag is to do with animal welfare.
"Well, if they really want to deal with animal welfare, they need to sort out where there is real cruelty and the RSPCA will tell you where it is, but they don't want to hear it - they don't want to be educated.
"Peaceful protest is fine, nobody has a problem with that, but you should not be able to go out and ruin other people's entertainment. They have no welfare of horses at heart.
'The BHA are in a very difficult situation and I do believe that we in racing, or field sports, or whatever, have to be pro-active.
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https://www.attheraces.com/news/2023/April/16/sandy-thomson-adamant-protests-contributed-to-fatal-fall-of-hill-sixteen DW1/ 23
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