Cheltenham Tragedy
On November 17, during five races at Cheltenham Racecourse, three out of 40 participating horses tragically lost their lives. This heartbreaking incident evoked strong reactions, yet such occurrences, albeit distressing, are not entirely uncommon in the world of horse racing.
The deaths were witnessed by thousands of fans tuning in to the live broadcast on the ITV Racing channel. Following the incident, the ITN news channel reported it in their main evening segment, which sparked criticism from the Jockey Club, the owner of Cheltenham Racecourse, and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for not being given a chance to address the situation.
The first two fatalities occurred during the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase. The first horse, Bangers And Cash, fell after the 14th fence and subsequently died. The second, Abuffalosoldier, collapsed post-race while being interviewed as the winner by ITV Racing reporter Alice Plunkett, suffering a cardiovascular collapse—potentially from a heart attack or ruptured artery. Liam Kearns, a member of the veterinary team present that day, expressed concern over the rarity of two such incidents occurring in the same race: “While horses under physical strain carry inherent risks, witnessing two collapses in one race is indeed unusual.” The third horse to die was Napper Tandy, a 66/1 outsider, in the following race, the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. He fell at the penultimate fence, suffering injuries severe enough to require euthanasia, and that race was also broadcast live.
Horse Deaths at the Cheltenham Festival
Looking back at previous Cheltenham Festivals reveals a worrying trend. In 2018, six horses lost their lives during the festival days. In 2012, five horses died in the first two days alone—three on the opening day and two the following day. Earlier, in 2008, 2009, and 2011, one horse died in each of those years.
The year 2006 stands out as particularly tragic, with nine horses dying during the festival, while 1996 remains the most devastating year on record, with ten horses killed on the track.
Numerous instances of tragic horse deaths at the races could fill volumes with tales of sorrow for owners, jockeys, and animal advocates alike. A recent incident at Newton Abbot Racecourse underscores an alarming trend of horse fatalities due to injuries across British racing venues. On June 25, 2024, four horses—Happy Helen, Hallowed Rose, Bala Brook, and Cuzzicombe—succumbed to fatal injuries and were euthanized. The BHA stated that these cases were unrelated and represented a unique set of circumstances. Hallowed Rose suffered a neck fracture from a fall, Cuzzicombe was euthanised due to a broken leg, Bala Brook sustained a fatal injury, and Happy Helen died of a heart attack. The combination of these tragic outcomes, particularly during a race held in high temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius, starkly illustrates the inherent risks involved in horse racing.
Opposition to Horse Racing
“Racehorses lack agency in their fates; it is the jockeys who decide. These animals are pushed to their limits to satisfy the desires and financial gains of those who revel in their suffering. Horse racing should be prohibited nationwide.” This is the core message that animal rights activists aim to communicate to anyone involved in the industry. Following the recent coverage of horse fatalities at Cheltenham on November 17, Rose Patterson, director of the animal rights group Animal Rising, stated, “Public support for racing is dwindling. Last year, we successfully halted the Grand National, which was in the best interest of the horses. However, that was a temporary fix, and we must now consider an outright ban on racing.”
In 2023, three horses tragically died during the Grand National. Envoye Special suffered a fatal injury after falling at one of the fences on the event's first day, Dark Raven fell and had to be euthanized, and Hill Sixteen fell at the start of the main race, resulting in a broken neck. Amidst this, 118 activists from Animal Rising disrupted the Aintree racecourse to draw attention to the equine deaths, leading to the postponement of the race. While the protesters faced criticism for potentially endangering horses, they defended their actions by stating, “In 2023, 49 horses died in racing in England. We are not responsible for these deaths, nor did we cause today’s incidents.”
According to the League Against Cruel Sports, Aintree has seen 62 equine deaths since 2000, 16 of which occurred during the Grand National. Activists from Peta UK argue that animal welfare should take precedence over profit from gambling and have urged sponsors to withdraw their financial support for racing events.
The Continuation of Racing
Data from the Equine Injury Database (EID), maintained by the American Jockey Club, indicates a gradual decline in the mortality rate of horses in thoroughbred racing. The figure dropped from 2 deaths per 1,000 starts in 2009 to 1.32 in 2023. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) asserts that it is committed to minimising risks to equine life. Substantial investments have been made to enhance horse safety during races, resulting in a one-third decrease in fatalities over the past two decades, accounting for just 0.02% of the total participants. Ongoing research into equine health and welfare is consistently funded. For example, in 2017, at the behest of the BHA, the University of Exeter studied equine vision, revealing horses' difficulty in distinguishing the orange colour of obstacles. In response, researchers painted 348 barriers at 40 British racecourses in fluorescent white, reflecting the findings and helping to reduce equine injuries.
According to the German platform Statista, which focuses on market and consumer data, Flutter Entertainment, an American gambling company, owns British betting brands including Betfair, Sky Bet, and Paddy Power. The company's revenue from sports betting in the British Isles reached approximately $1.5 billion in 2023. Additionally, betting turnover on British horse racing from April 2022 to March 2023 amounted to £94.42 million, with over £23 million generated from on-track bets and £446.57 million from off-track wagers.
In light of these statistics, the radical proposals by animal rights activists to shut down the racing industry appear impractical. The economic engine of horse racing continues to thrive, and the actions of 118 activists chaining themselves to stadium fences are unlikely to halt its momentum. While efforts such as petition drives, protests, and media engagement may prompt industry leaders to enhance safety protocols and horse welfare, significant changes seem improbable in the near future. For some segments of the public, animal rights activists are seen as a nuisance, while for others, their efforts are welcomed. As long as betting remains a popular pastime and the racing industry is intertwined with substantial financial interests, horses will continue to race. Efforts to improve their living conditions, ensure their safety during competitions, and care for them after their racing careers are currently underway.