Cheltenham day four: Multiple fatalities on the final day

Cheltenham Festival has come to a shocking, but unsurprising, end with the death of two horses. 12-year-old Envoi Allen died after what was supposed to be his final race before ‘retirement’, followed by Saint Le Fort who suffered a horrifying fall in the final race of the Festival. 

What makes Envoi Allen’s death even more devastating, is that the 12-year-old horse was due to ‘retire’ following this race. The Racing Post even called it his “last dance” – a tweet that now carries cruel poignancy. 

And they weren’t the only ones. ITV commentator Ed Chamberlain said “what a place to go” [referring to Envoi Allen dying at Cheltenham] while so-called tributes referred to Envoi Allen as an incredible “servant”. 

Saint Le Fort died following a horrifying fall at the final jump, in a race described by BBC commentators as a “rough race”. As coverage ended on BBC Radio 5 Extra, mention was made that Saint Le Fort was still being tended to on the track. As racing ended for the day, so did any access to information about the horses. 

Horse racing is a gruelling practice, at the heart of which victims – horses like Envoi Allen and Saint Le Fort – are lost. As winners and gamblers collect their winnings, two innocent horses were breathing their last breathes.  

The cost is simply far, far too high.

The Jukebox Man, another horse who ran in the 16:00 Gold Cup Chase and finished eighth, made a “respiratory noise” according to the stewards report and was known to have “a little wind problem” yet was entered into the race anyway. It’s been reported that he’ll need to undergo surgery before he can race again – a shocking reminder of the immense physical demands placed on horses for the sake of prize money and a ‘day out’. 

A total of 28 horses did not complete their races or were ‘pulled up’ on Friday, bringing the Festival’s total to 82. This may be due to fatigue, distress, or injury and could result in their deaths hours or even days later, away from the racecourse and unwanted scrutiny. 

We will do all we can to ensure transparency about what happens to these horses now that Cheltenham is over.

Further resources: 

• Our latest annual report, Victims of British and Irish Horse Racing 2025-26 is available now. 
• Death Watch launched in 2007 after nine horses died during Cheltenham the previous year. We aim to record and expose every single death of horses due to on-course injuries in Britain. 
• In 2026, we’re celebrating the Year of the Horse and asking people to boycott watching or betting on racing.  

For more information or an interview, contact Isobel McNally at isobel@animalaid.org.uk  or 01732 364546.