BHA finds no causal link in death of horses at Cheltenham Racecourse

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has initiated a review into the deaths of three horses racing at Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday, 17 November.

Distressing scenes at Cheltenham saw Abuffalosoldier and Bangers And Cash collapse and die of suspected ‘cardiovascular collapse’ while racing in a three-and-a-half-mile contest over 22 fences.

In the fifth race of the day, Napper Tandy broke his neck in a fall after failing to jump a newly installed ‘safer to view’ hurdle on the racetrack.

Following the incidents, animal welfare groups demanded that the BHA launch an inquiry into Cheltenham Racecourse facilities and whether the deaths could have been avoidable.

Animal Aid protested: “Britain’s largest commercial horseracing organisation, The Jockey Club, must take full responsibility for the deaths on its Cheltenham Racecourse – Britain’s most deadly turf arena. Both they and the racing welfare regulator, the British Horseracing Authority, have not taken adequate measures to stem a consistent flood of deaths across racing. A ban on racing is the only answer to stop this lethal animal abuse.”

Post-mortem examinations of the three horses who died at Cheltenham on Sunday have suggested that none of the deaths “could have been predicted or prevented” prior to the meeting.

The review, part of the BHA’s fatality review process, involves gathering data from racecourse staff, jockeys, trainers, veterinary records, and other sources, which is then analysed by experts.

In light of these tragic events, the BHA has reaffirmed its commitment to understanding and mitigating risks associated with horseracing.

The deaths of Abuffalosoldier and Bangers And Cash from cardiovascular collapse are consistent with Exercise Associated Sudden Death (EASD), a rare but recognised condition in young, healthy horses. EASD, which occurs at a rate of 0.09% in jump racing, primarily involves sudden cardiac arrest, large vessel rupture, or central nervous system lesions, highlighting the inherent unpredictability of such incidents.

Preventative measures remain a central focus for British racing. Since 2000, the industry has invested £56 million in equine health research, including the development of an artificial intelligence-based test to identify irregular heart rhythms in horses.

The BHA’s fatality review process, which includes comprehensive data collection and expert analysis, concluded that none of these deaths could have been predicted or prevented. The BHA is committed to using the findings from these reviews and ongoing research to continually improve safety standards, balancing the risks inherent in the sport with the welfare of the animals that participate.

Animal welfare campaigners, including Animal Aid, have criticised the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), claiming its efforts are overshadowed by the alarming fatality rate in British horse racing – “At least 172 horses have died on British racecourses this year, a figure consistent with previous years. Campaigners argue that this demonstrates the industry’s failure to fulfil its legal obligation to safeguard racehorses, which are ultimately paying the price with their lives.”