VIEWERS were left hailing ITV Racing star Kevin Blake’s ‘all-time mic drop moment’ in a debate with an Animal Rising protester.
Saturday’s Epsom Derby is set to be hit by the sort of chaotic disruption we saw at April’s Grand National, with the group vowing to send ‘1000 protesters’ to the course.
But Blake did his best to stick up for racing when speaking on Piers Morgan Uncenscored on Thursday night and viewers were left in little doubt as to who won the debate.
Blake said: “The way Animal Rising talk about racing and risk, they imply that a horse that isn’t racing, that’s out in the field, has no risk whatsoever.
“That’s completely inaccurate.
“I got in touch with a bloodstock insurance company this week and they quote a near identical mortality insurance rate on a yearling out in the field, as they will that same horse on year later when they’re in full training.
“They’re people whose bread and butter is assessing risk and assessing the data.
“They’ll tell you a horse is at just as much risk of a catastrophic injury turned out in the field, as they are in training.”
Blake has been a regular on shows in recent months in defence of racing, regularly debating with representatives from Animal Rising.
Viewers were once again quick to praise him and it seems there’s no doubt as to who won the debate.
One said: “Christ he’s good. The insurance risk assessment bit at the end is an all-timer mic drop.”
Another wrote: “We are so lucky to have Kevin. Putting himself in the firing line and so eloquently defending the sport we love. I’m in awe.”
One comment read: “An absolute schooling from @kevinblake2011, always on the money – he’s like that kid at school that not only knocks it out the park, he brings a final point to make everyone else wonder why they bothered.”
While one wrote: “Kevin Blake the ever professional landing another knockout blow!”
And another said: “What a top ambassador @kevinblake2011 is for horse racing! Absolutely wiped the floor here.”
The Jockey Club, who own Epsom, were granted an injunction last week that bans people from going on to the track and carrying out other acts with the intention and/or effect of disrupting the races.
That is unlikely to stop the protesters, however, who have vowed to cause disruption regardless.
The Grand National was delayed by around 15 minutes earlier this year when protesters stormed the track.
The Jockey Club have admitted that Epsom will be a harder track to defend than Aintree, which could lead to more disruption to another of Britain’s biggest races.