The Cheltenham Festival’s return sees horse racing’s troublesome relationship with animal welfare within the highlight.
One of probably the most prestigious occasions on the calendar, 4 days of racing can be held on the Gloucestershire racecourse this week.
But like a lot of the sport’s marquee events, latest runnings at Cheltenham have been marred by the tragic passing of horses after falls in competitors.
According to long-standing animal rights group Animal Aid, at the very least one horse has died yearly that the Festival has been held since 2000.
The organisation’s knowledge reveals {that a} complete of 73 horses have died after working on the occasion within the final 23 years.
Number of horse deaths at Cheltenham per yr:
- 2022 – 4
- 2021 – 1
- 2020 – 1
- 2019 – 3
- 2018 – 7
- 2017 – 4
- 2016 – 7
- 2015 – 2
- 2014 – 5
- 2013 – 1
- 2012 – 5
- 2011 – 1
- 2010 – 4
- 2009 – 1
- 2008 – 1
- 2007 – 2
- 2006 – 11
- 2005 – 3
- 2004 – 3
- 2003 – 3
- 2002 – 3
- 2001 – Festival deserted
- 2000 – 1
- Total – 73
After two years with only a single equine fatality, 4 horses had been destroyed after struggling accidents in 2022.
Two of these, Mindsmadeup and Born Patriot, had been put down after racing on St Patrick’s Day, prompting the RSPCA to name for “steps to be taken” in a bid to keep away from additional tragedies.
“We are deeply saddened and extremely concerned to see two horses die today at the Cheltenham Festival- Born Patriot and Mindsmadeup,” the United Kingdom’s largest animal welfare charity tweeted.
“It is absolutely crucial that steps are taken to reduce the risk of these tragedies occurring.”
A fourth animal, Ginto, was then put down after falling within the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Gold Cup Friday.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) printed 17 suggestions designed to enhance the security and welfare of horses and riders in National Hunt racing after a overview of the Festival in 2018.
The suggestions included elevated pre-race veterinary checks on runners and a discount within the security restrict for two-mile chases from 24 to twenty.
