Tragic death on first day of Cheltenham Festival

The dark veil of equine death once again struck with brutal reality on the first day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.

5-year-old gelding, Shallwehaveonemore, was killed during the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle race, the first race of the festival. The disturbing fatal incident was not seen during ITV Racing’s coverage of the event. ITV presenters gave Shallwehaveonemore a mere mention during discussion of the race, which brought little solace to a concerned public.

Under the umbrella of what has been billed as ‘racing’s most exciting National Hunt festival’ it holds a thin tenure, as the names of Cheltenham’s race horse victims increase in number: Race Horse Death Watch

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

‘Seeing Shallwehaveonemore fall today was a tragedy that is repeated year-on-year at this notorious so-called Festival. Far from being a festival, it exudes the worst in animal cruelty with a blatant disregard for the suffering it causes – horse deaths, agonising injuries and the brutality of whipping animals in public. An end to horse racing would stop this horror show – the Cheltenham Festival should be the first on that agenda.’