The death of a second horse at the Cheltenham Festival has led to the League Against Cruel Sports reiterating its calls for much tighter safety measures in horse racing.
The League believes the death of Corbetts Cross during the event’s flagship Gold Cup race has highlighted the racing industry’s disregard for the lives of the horses and the need for a new regulatory body.
Figures compiled by Animal Aid show that at least one horse has died at every single Cheltenham Festival since 2000 with the death toll now reaching 78.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “This second death at the Cheltenham Festival highlights how horses are being sacrificed for people’s entertainment and the profits of gambling companies.
“An independent regulatory body, with horse welfare as its number one priority and which bans the use of the whip, needs to be set up to replace the British Horse Racing Authority.”
The death of Corbetts Cross is the second death in two days and follows the death of Springwell Bay on Thursday.
Emma added: “Two deaths in two days highlights the shocking cruelty horses are experiencing at the hands of the racing industry.
“It’s time for change and for these beautiful animals to stop being raced to their deaths.”
