Two race horses tragically killed on very first day at Cheltenham

Animal Aid is disgusted that two lives were lost at the Cheltenham Festival today. Ose Partir became the second victim of the day, following the death of Highland Hunter earlier in the afternoon. This takes the death toll of this brutal event up to 76 deaths since 2000.

It is unacceptable that this event is allowed to continue. The Cheltenham course is deliberately designed to push horses to their limits – for the enjoyment of cheering crowds and the vast amounts of money to be made for jockeys, owners and trainers.

Animal Aid has evidence that jump racing kills 1 in 58 horses each season. This is why Animal Aid is campaigning for an end to jump racing, and an end to the Cheltenham Festival. In a progressive society, it is simply deplorable that watching horses dying is classed as ‘entertainment’.

Notes for Editors

• Read more about Animal Aid’s campaign to Ban Jump Racing here – Ban Jump Racing – Animal Aid
• Visit Animal Aid’s Race Horse Death Watch site
• Read our 2014 report Why more horses die at Cheltenham than at any other British racecourse.
• For more information, contact Animal Aid on 01732 364 546 or Animal Aid Horse Racing Consultant Dene Stansall on 07780 756 957 after 5pm