Posted on the 18th February 2015
Two horses who were being ridden by Britain’s leading jockey, AP McCoy, have died in the past two days. This brings to 29 the total number of McCoy’s mounts who have perished since March 2007 when Animal Aid launched Race Horse Deathwatch – its online database of on-course deaths.
Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant Dene Stansall:
‘As far as Animal Aid is concerned, AP McCoy’s retirement cannot come too soon. Since March 2007, Animal Aid has kept records of racing’s horse fatalities and this jockey has ridden 29 horses who have died either during their race or shortly afterwards. On his retirement, alongside any celebrations that the racing industry may organise, they should also remember the horses he rode who perished. They, sadly, will never have the pleasure of a retirement.’
The high profile Burton Port was killed at Doncaster (18 Feb), and At Reception lost his life at Wetherby (17 Feb). Both were trained by Jonjo O’Neill.
11 year-old Burton Port, a veteran of the Grand National and placed in the Gold Cup, fell in the testing 3-mile Betbright Cheltenham Festival Fund Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Doncaster. At the point of his fall he was well behind other runners and tiring. Yesterday’s victim, At Reception, an eight-year-old gelding, had to be pulled up in the Watch Racing UK Anywhere Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles at Wetherby. He was so badly injured he was destroyed.
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