Notorious killer of horses – Cheltenham Festival – returns

This event has claimed the lives of 74 horses since 2000, making it one of the deadliest courses for a horse to set foot upon. From gruelling race distances, to the number of obstacles, to the “win at all costs” mentality of many jockeys: everything about this event endangers the lives of horses.

Last year, Animal Aid launched our #BanJumpRacing Campaign. Whilst Animal Aid campaigns for an end to all horse racing, Jump (known as National Hunt) races are inherently more dangerous than flat races, killing approximately 1 in 58 horses each year.

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the best-known jump racing events, drawing in huge crowds. Many will view this as a ‘fun day out’, where they can have a ‘harmless flutter’. The reality could not be further from the truth. From birth to death, race horses face exploitation and misery. Torn from their mothers, sold from person to person, forced to wear painful artificial aids, at risk of injury in training and, an uncertain future if not deemed profitable through racing. An unknown number of horses die in training each year or because they did not make the grade. Others face the slaughterhouse.

In 2023, Malinello was tragically killed at Cheltenham after hitting the 16^th fence and dying minutes later from injuries.

How is this entertainment?

To help stand up for race horses, boycott Cheltenham and order our leaflets by emailing info@animalaid.org.uk or a Horse Action Pack by clicking here.