Welfare groups denounce Cheltenham organisers after three horses die on first day


The first day of the Cheltenham Festival was tragically overshadowed by the deaths of three horses - the worst toll in one day at National Hunt's most prestigious meeting since 2006.

Nine horses had perished in the past five years at Cheltenham but that rate was exceeded with the deaths of dual Festival winner Garde Champetre and Scotsirish in the Cross Country Chase and Educated Evans in the Pulteney Land Investment Chase, all after breaking legs.

Officials were adamant the deaths were unrelated to the drought-like conditions that prompted heavy watering of the track.

Fatalities: Educated Evans (not seen) died during the Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase

Fatalities: Educated Evans (not seen) died during the Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase

Tim Morris, the British Horseracing Authority's director of equine science and welfare, said: 'The injuries occurred at different parts of the course. The injuries were not sustained jumping. The ground on the course was within our criteria for jump racing.'

The tragedy come less than 12 months after two horses died in horror-falls at the Grand National, played out in front of a worldwide television audience of 600 million.

The Aintree race had to divert round the fences where the fatalities had occurred to avoid the bodies of the victims.

Animal Aid's Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall said: 'The race in which Scotsirish and Garde Champetre were killed should never have taken place, given that it was run on dangerously firm ground.

Outrage: Animal Welfare groups claim the Cross Country Chase should not have been run

Outrage: Animal Welfare groups claim the Cross Country Chase should not have been run

'The layout of the cross-country course does not allow the operators to soften the going by watering what was officially termed "good to firm" ground.

'Rather than take the precautionary step of calling off the race, officials risked the lives of the horses, and two paid the ultimate price.

'Novice horse Educated Evans was unable to survive in an extremely crowded race that tested his ability to breaking point.

'More horses have been killed at Cheltenham Racecourse than at any other in the country over the past five years - a little known statistic that the owners of the course will not be keen to share with the paying punters.

'Animal Aid protestors will be at Cheltenham Racecourse on Wednesday to remind race-goers of the heavy price paid by horses at this notorious event.'

Ruby Tuesday: The day's big winner of the Champion Hurdle under Noel Fehily

Ruby Tuesday: The day's big winner of the Champion Hurdle under Noel Fehily

Meanwhile, Rock On Ruby ran out a most impressive winner of the Stan James Champion Hurdle under Noel Fehily, comfortably beating favourite Hurricane Fly who finished third.

Assistant trainer Harry Fry, who effectively looks after the training of Rock On Ruby in Nicholls' satellite yard, said: 'I'm speechless. This is what you dream of.

'It's great to be part of the team. With Richard (Barber) and Paul, you wouldn't ask for better.'