Posted on the 16th March 2018
Racing at full speed and close to the end of the 2-mile Randox Health County Hurdle, 5-year-old grey gelding Sandsend (FR) lost his footing on Cheltenham Racecourseâs atrociously heavy, poached ground.
His near (left) foreleg shattered and he hobbled in great distress to a halt. He was quickly destroyed.
Sandsend is the third equine victim of the week to lose his life at the Gloucestershire racecourse that has an appalling reputation as Britainâs most dangerous racecourse for horses. It has been publicly stated that these are the worst ground conditions in the past 36 years. Racing should not be allowed in such circumstances, but it appears that racing must go ahead at all costs and sadly Sandsend is a victim of this.
Sandsend is the Festivalâs thirty-sixth horse to die since the launch of Animal Aidâs Horsedeathwatch in 2007.
Says Isobel Hutchinson, Director, Animal Aid:
âThis devastating incident highlights the barbaric cruelty of this profit-driven âsportâ. The brutal leg-break suffered by Sandsend was truly horrifying to witness. We can only imagine the agony and terror that he must have suffered, through no fault of his own. How many more horses will have to die, before action is taken to stem the tide of deaths? We believe that the current regulator simply isnât fit for purpose, and urgently needs to be replaced with an organisation that has horse welfare as its priority.â
Yesterday, five horses from the Household Cavalry became spooked during training, throwing off their riders and racing terrified through central London. One of the horses was seen to be covered in blood as they stampeded...
Posted 25 Apr 2024
 To support World Day for Animals in Laboratories on 24th April, we are organising the âEnd Animal Testsâ week of action which runs from Saturday 20th until Sunday 28th April.
Posted 18 Apr 2024
