Cheltenham tops list of horse deaths (From Evesham Journal)

Cheltenham tops list of horse deaths

11:26am Thursday 7th April 2011 in News

NATIONAL campaign group Animal Aid has published results of a study into deaths of horses at racing venues. According to the survey, there were 162 deaths at racecourses across the country over the past 12 months with the prestigious Cheltenham Racecourse topping the list with 13. The statistics have come from the group’s online database Race Horse Deathwatch, established in 2007. The campaign group reported that 14 deaths were from heart attacks or haemorrhages, but the majority died from broken necks, backs or legs, or from pelvic fractures or tendon injuries. No fewer than 48 of Britain’s racecourses suffered at least one thoroughbred fatality and nine of them witnessed at least two deaths in a single day. The second highest number of fatalities according to the results was Market Rasen and local courses Worcester and Warwick had seven and five respectively.