The problem is that the real issue isn't being dealt with by the appropriate regulating bodies. The number of horses running, as opposed to the height of the fences or the number of strokes of the whips allowed, is the major cause of falls and therefore deaths. Just look how many horses in the Grand National were brought down by other horses! The larger the number of competing jockeys the more likely an accident will happen which compounds the problem of more horses tripping over other horses (due to less space available to avoid the fallen horse and jockey, and the more horses racing increases the chances of one falling due to Jockey error). 15 horses finished the race! 15! These are professional jockeys riding well-trained, experienced horses! In 1928 only 2 jockeys finished the course, and that was after one remounted and then came in second. If a race has only 2 people finishing you know that something has to be changed, 40 horses is just too many. There were about 5 horses running with odds of 100-1, why were they in the race? With those odds all they're doing is increasing the risks to themselves and the other horses and jockeys participating in the race! I don't think 40 riders in one race can be justified, not with the level of horse fatalities we're seeing. I'm actually for horse racing and the Grand National, I enjoyed watching it (when I wasn't worrying every time a horse fell) but the number of entrees need to be reduced to a reasonable number filled with horses who have a decent chance of placing let alone finishing the race!