For a moment it looked like the Grand National, Britain’s premier horse race that has been held annually since the 1830s, would never take place this year. As a result, the protests of the animal lovers gathered at the site only led to her delay and several dozen arrests.

The protesters warned they were storming the Audrey Racecourse, and they did so on Holy Saturday afternoon.

They complained that the races create unnecessary stress for the animals and called for the abolition of these and all races, which are one of the main elements of modern British culture with huge stakes.

The police at the hippodrome near Liverpool were in any case present in connection with the long-awaited event, which also attracts the English aristocracy, and quickly restored order, literally lifting the protesters from the grass of the hippodrome.

Authorities have arrested 118 animal rights protesters, it was announced.

According to the statement, the detainees were charged with causing damage and disturbing public order.

The race started with a delay of almost a quarter of an hour.

A total of three horses died from falls and fatal injuries at the Grand National, the third of which was at the main race on Saturday.

Source: BBC, CNN.