Shocking half-year race horse death figures highlight serious welfare problems in British racing

• 37 different racecourses across Great Britain had at least one horse death.
• At ten racecourses, two horses were killed in a day’s racing, whilst three horses were killed in a single day at Hexham.
• The worst of all was Cheltenham Racecourse, with four horses killed there in just one afternoon of racing.

These distressing equine mortality figures highlight the need for change. Animal Aid’s government e-petition, demanding the removal of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as the race horse welfare regulator, has been signed by more than 80,000 people.

Animal Aid believes that there is a need for an independent body to get to grips with the suffering that is so prominent in racing – not only horse deaths but issues including the use of the whip, starting stalls and much more.

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

‘These shocking figures highlight how poor the horse welfare regulation is in British racing. Horses are suffering on courses up and down the country. The Government needs to understand the problem and act promptly. Clearly, a huge number of people have compassion for the horses and it’s time that the racing industry took notice.’

Notes to Editors:

• Sign our government petition

• Visit Race Horse Deathwatch
  

• For more information, please contact 01732 364 546