Two horses killed in the same race – the second such incident in a week

Young mare Katie Connell (IRE) and gelding Damier (FR) both lost their lives in a hurdle race at the South Yorkshire racecourse.

It was reported by the Stewards at the course that Katie Connell ‘… dislodged a rail on the way out onto the track. Having been examined by the Veterinary Surgeon at the start, the mare was deemed fit to race.’

During the race she appeared never to be travelling and was whipped harshly when struggling to keep up with the pace. She was pulled up distressed soon afterwards. Her injuries proved fatal.

Damier, the second victim of the race, appeared to slip on the final bend – on what was deemed ‘good’ racing ground – and lose his momentum. He was seen in a very distressed state, having ‘broken down’. He too was fatally injured.

The deaths come just a week after two horses died in a single race at Hereford Racecourse, and with five deaths already this year, serious questions need to be asked of the regulator, the British Horseracing Authority.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘The distressing scenes over the past seven days on British racecourses show the cruelty of horse racing. Horses are brutally whipped when giving their best, pushed to their limits and die because they cannot cope with the conditions in which they’re asked to race. The industry has serious issues to resolve, as it clearly cannot protect the horses it uses. People are turning their backs on this so-called sport, and for good reason.’

Editors’ Notes

For a list of all race horses killed, visit Race Horse Deathwatch.