A second horse has died at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, prompting renewed calls for a boycott of the event and government intervention.
HMS Seahorse sustained a fatal injury today (Wednesday), according to the League Against Cruel Sports.
The animal welfare charity said the latest incident brings the total number of horse deaths at the Cheltenham Festival to 80 since the year 2000.
Figures from Animal Aid show at least one horse has died at every festival since the turn of the century, the charity added.
The death of HMS Seahorse follows that of Hansard earlier in this year’s festival. As previously reported, the RSCPA issued a statement on Hansard’s death.
At last year’s event, Springwell Bay died before Corbetts Cross was killed in the Gold Cup race.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “Every year horses are raced to their deaths at the Cheltenham Festival and while the death of HMS Seahorse will sadden all animal lovers, tragically it is not a surprise.
“The death toll of 80 horses at Cheltenham festival since the turn of the century is simply staggering.
“If this death toll happened in any other sport there would be a huge outcry so why is it any different for horses.”
She added: “We are calling on the public to boycott the Cheltenham Festival by staying away, not betting on the races or watching the ITV coverage and advertising which accompanies it.
“The government promised the biggest boost for animal welfare in a generation and now it needs to deliver by tackling the terrible death toll at Cheltenham and introducing tighter safety measures in horse racing and banning the use of the whip.”
