Animal Aid

On the eve of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, four horses lost their lives on two British racecourses.

Six-year-old mares Blazing Empress and Chocolat, and 5-year-old gelding, Two Cloudy, all perished at Plumpton racecourse, whilst 11-year-old Monsieur was fatally injured at Taunton.

These deaths coincide with the fourth anniversary of Animal Aid’s Race Horse Deathwatch – a unique online database that records all thoroughbred racing fatalities. Since its launch in March 2007, 645 horses have died on British racecourses.

Says Animal Aid Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘Sadly, four horses are not returning to their stables. Once again, the true nature of jump racing is apparent in the unacceptable challenges it holds for horses. The appallingly high numbers of horses killed shows that it is time to take responsibility for the welfare of race horses away from the self-regulating British Horseracing Authority.’

More information:

• For full background and interviews, contact Andrew Tyler or Dene Stansall on 01732 364546.
• An ISDN line is available for broadcast-quality interviews.
• Visit Race Horse Deathwatch

Notes to editors:

• Of the approximately18,000 horses who have been bred annually in recent years by the closely related British and Irish racing industries, only around 40 per cent go on to race. Many of the ‘low quality’ newborns are destroyed, while those who do enter racing suffer a high level of fatal injuries and stress-related illnesses, such as gastric ulcers and bleeding lungs. Around 7,500 thoroughbreds have been leaving British racing each year, yet very few go on to a sanctuary or adoptive home.
• View our powerful 90-second web film
• Animal Aid wil be commemorating a decade of death at the Cheltenahm Festival on 17 March 2011