Ripon Racecourse – highest death toll for more than ten years

On 14 August, Gaelic Tiger was pulled up injured and dismounted – he was destroyed the next day. On the 19 August, Jack Dexter broke down badly and was later reported as dead. On the same afternoon, Mount Rock was brought down and suffered fatal injuries – he too was destroyed.

These deaths follow the fatal injury in June of Rip N Roar at the Yorkshire course.

In the ten years that Animal Aid has been monitoring and recording racecourse deaths, this year at Ripon has seen the sharpest rise in fatalities.

Questions must be asked as to whether or not it is safe for horses to race at Ripon this coming Bank Holiday and on the 29 August, especially as this is a flat racecourse, with no jumps. It would, therefore, be expected that fewer fatal injuries would occur, but it is, alarmingly, on a par with the more dangerous jump racing courses.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘It was a sad sight seeing young horses break down badly at Ripon.

‘Especially that of Mount Rock, last Saturday. It was one of the most heart-rending sights I’ve ever seen on a racecourse, as he hobbled helplessly by himself, past the crowds to the stands in a desperate attempt to get to the other horses who had finished the race.’

Editors’ Notes

• For more information contact Dene Stansall on 01732 364546
• For a list of all horses killed on all British racecourses this year, visit Race Horse Deathwatch