The Jockey Club today sent an open letter to the people of Liverpool thanking them for their continued support of the Grand National.
Regional director of Aintree Racecourse, Dickon White, shared the letter with The ECHO expressing gratitude to the city for the way people pulled together on the day of the big race.
It comes after the National was delayed by animal rights activists who tried to scale fences around the course perimeter. Police arrested 118 people on suspicion of criminal damage and public nuisance offences.
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Mr White spoke of how the city did "horse racing and the region proud". Here's Mr White's open letter to the people of Liverpool in full.
“The collective spirit of the people of Liverpool, and the racing community as a whole, encapsulated just why the Randox Grand National Festival is so important and above all else, loved. It is an event that goes far beyond racing alone, shining a spotlight on not just our wonderful sport but also on the great Liverpool City Region.
"Although another Festival has drawn to a close, the impact of this race and the partnership between the sport and the city is felt all-year round through the Aintree Community Programme and working closely with partners such as Park Palace Ponies and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital - we were delighted that our annual jockey visit could once again take place on Ladies Day.
"We are extremely proud of many things here at Aintree Racecourse, one of which being our great sport, but another being the relationship we have with the community of Liverpool. We are committed to doing all we can to give back to the city that welcomes this iconic global occasion with such warmth each year, whilst simultaneously recognising that everyone is entitled to their own respective views of our event.
"It’s no secret that this year’s race faced added pressures, with the temporary disruption and delay to the race due to the actions of a minority. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Merseyside Police and security services for their support in delivering a robust operation to ensure those who tried to over-step their right to peacefully protest wouldn’t succeed.
"I’d also like to thank the local community for their continuous support for Aintree. There is nowhere this is more true than in Liverpool.
"To the watching public, both those in attendance at the racecourse and the hundreds of millions watching around the world, thank you for your patience. The eyes of the world were on us, and what they would have seen was a committed team working together.
"A team passionate about our sport and the welfare of our horses, delivering an iconic event, joined by tens of thousands of equally passionate supporters, both on the racecourse and beyond. Horse racing is a sport for everyone, coming together to enjoy a great day out and thrilling racing on the track.
"Once again, thank you for sharing in our sport. You have done horse racing, and the region, proud."
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