Two horses die at Plumpton’s Sunday races

In the first race of the day, Head Rush was pulled up injured, halfway through the two-mile hurdle race in which he was competing. Then, in the final event of the day, a National Hunt flat race, grey gelding Eastbury fell to the ground injured and was seen struggling to get up.

Horse deaths at Plumpton are not rare. Two other horses, Ironically and Business Mover, were killed in almost identical circumstances to yesterday’s victims on the same raceday in May 2013. And a total of 29 horses have perished at the East Sussex course since March 2007.

Animal Aid says that urgent action is required by both the racecourse and the British Horseracing Authority to prevent further horse deaths.

For further information

• For press enquiries, please call Andrew Tyler or Dene Stansall on 01732 364546.
• Visit Race Horse Death Watch for full listings of on-course deaths.