At the event on Saturday, protestors tried to run onto the racetrack and climbed fences at Aintree with at least two fixing themselves to a jump using glue and lock-on devices.
The activists – who were arrested for public nuisance and criminal damage offences – breached security fences as National runners were in the parade ring, causing a delay of 12 minutes.
However, ITV’s coverage of the event, ITV Racing: Grand National Festival, was slammed after comments were made criticising the protestors and their cause.
One came from former champions jockey Tony McCoy who branded the group ‘attention seekers’.
Many people at home called out the broadcaster for also airing comments insisting that horses were in safe hands, despite three dying at the event.
Now it’s been revealed that ITV’s coverage sparked complaints to watchdog Ofcom.
Publishing the full number of complaints received for programmes airing from Tuesday April 11 to Monday April 17, Ofcom complaints for this specific one was totalled 93.
During the coverage McCoy also said the protestors had no idea about how the horses were cared for.
‘They have no real understanding of the horses and how well they get looked after,’ he said.
He continued: ‘These people don’t want anything explained to them. They have their own minds made up and that is the sad thing about it.
‘I don’t think we should have to justify it to any of these people because they don’t deserve it.’
Tweets from people watching at home during the coverage included: ‘The ITV presenters at the Grand National banging on about how well the horses are looked after in their stables might just be missing the point.’
Another added: ‘Shocking coverage by ITV regarding the protests. They even said ‘football is dangerous, rugby is dangerous’. The total lack of acknowledgement that horses DIE at the grand national festival is despicable. Shame on you and your coverage ITV.’
However, others did argue that the horses had a ‘fantastic life’ provided by their owners and trainers.
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.
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