British Race Becomes a Nightmare : Grand National: Event is declared void after false starts produce chaos. Some horses run, others don’t.

The Grand National steeplechase was run at Aintree on Saturday.

But officially, it never happened.

The second false start of the afternoon turned the world’s most famous steeplechase into a debacle. It was declared void.

The $115 million bet on the race, one of England’s most popular wagering events, will be returned to those who ask.

Eight horses covered the entire 4 1/2 miles. Nine never left the starting line--gates are not used in steeplechase races--and others in the field of 40 wandered around the course.

An estimated 350 million TV viewers around the world tuned in to see the race, first run in 1836.

“This is one of the greatest disasters in the history of the National,” British Broadcasting Corporation commentator Peter O’Sullevan said. “These horses have had an arduous race for nothing.”

The race was initially held up by an animal rights demonstration on the course. The frequent spills during steeplechases causing death or injury to horses have made them targets of activists.

The first false start created no real problem because the field was called back after about 300 yards. There was a second false start, with the horses trampling all over the start tape. Nine of the riders noticed the red flag was put up and stayed at the line. The others didn’t.

Richard Dunwoody, the jockey on Won’t Be Gone Long, never got far. The starting tape ended up around his neck.

“I nearly got pulled off a couple of times,” Dunwoody said. Had the race been attempted a third time, he said, “it would have been farcical.”

Of the horses who continued to run, most either fell or pulled up after one circuit. Esha Ness was first to cross the finish line, to a chorus of boos.

“I was among the first half dozen, and I did not see any flag,” said Esha Ness’ jockey, John White. “We thought perhaps there were some protesters on the course waving us away.”

“I didn’t know a thing until I saw people jumping up and down in their chairs,” jockey Peter Scudamore said.

Esha Ness’s trainer, Jenny Pitman, was reduced to tears. She stormed into the weighing room demanding to see the stewards, and broke down as she called for the race to be stopped.

“You must stop this race!” she shouted. “What are you doing? My bloody horse has already gone one circuit. I don’t want to win the National like this!”

She didn’t win because, according to the record books, the 1993 Grand National didn’t happen. No one got the $150,000 prize money.

“Canceling the race completely is the most obvious solution,” said Peter Greenall, chairman of Aintree racecourse. “It’s a very complicated event to stage.”

While race officials met to decide what to do, angry owners and trainers mingled with tearful jockeys.

“I have spent all year getting my horse ready for this day. I have sweat blood with this horse, and I come here today, absolutely right to run him, and this is what happened,” said John Upson, trainer of one of the favorites, Zeta’s Lad.

“It is an absolute disgrace that the world’s number one national hunt race is run like this.”

After the race had been officially declared void, the bookmakers realized they had to pay back the money they had taken in bets.

“If people go into the shops they will get their money back,” said Mike Dillon, of licensed bookmaker Ladbrokes. “The 75 million (pounds) that was bet today will all be refunded.”

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharp said at least it was the first Grand National in which no one lost any money.

Except the government.

According to bookmaker Corals, the Treasury lost about $9 million in tax revenue.

Alan Meale, a member of the Parliamentary Racing and Bloodstock Committee, wants an investigation.

“It just shows that those who are at present responsible for racing would have great difficulty in parking a car,” he said.