Even as a child I thought that there were something 'wrong' with animals in the circus. Couldn't put my finger on it - I just knew that they weren't happy.
chaptazbru - I assume the two year grace period is to give circuses time to offload their animals to zoos and/or private collectors, and to develop new acts to attract the punters.
Re: horse. I've only ever backed one. My mum put a quid on Red Rum in (I think) 1977.
It won, and I've never bet again, because when I die, I know I'd have got one over on the bookies.