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Five horses killed in just two days racing at Cheltenham
Posted 14 March 2012
Featherbed Lane and Abergavenny are the latest 2012 Cheltenham Festival casualties. They were killed in the 4pm Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle. Abergavenny is understood to have fractured an elbow, while Featherbed Lane was pulled up after breaking a leg. Yesterday, the first day of the 2012 meeting, saw three horses perish.
Says Animal Aid Director Andrew Tyler:
‘The news that five horses have now been killed in just two days of racing at Cheltenham confirms the reputation of the Festival as a bloody and unforgiving event. The race that claimed today’s two victims could easily have killed more, given the numerous alarming incidents. It featured an insanely crowded field of 28 runners, who would have found it difficult to position themselves safely when approaching the numerous obstacles. Adding to the risk was the noisy, frenetic Festival atmosphere in which the horses have to race. Cheltenham has now killed 38 horses since 2000. Calling it a sporting event is a travesty.’
More information
- For interviews: contact Andrew Tyler or Dene Stansall on 01732 364546
- For more information on horse deaths, visit Race Horse Death Watch.
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