Animal groups call for end to Cheltenham after horse dies on festivals first day
Animal rights groups call for Cheltenham Festival to be BANNED as horse Shallwehaveonemore is put down after suffering fatal injuries falling at final fence in first race
Cheltenham Festival suffered a tragic first day after Shallwehaveonemore diedAnimalAid called for the end to horse racing – saying Cheltenham should be first Gary Moore’s horse was put down after picking up fatal injuries following a fall The incident came during the first race of the day – the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
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An animal rights group has called for Cheltenham to be banned as Shallwehaveonemore died following a fatal fall on the festival’s first day.
The incident came in the first race of the day – the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – with Gary Moore’s horse falling at the final fence of the race, which was won by Constitution Hill.
AnimalAid called for an end to all horse racing in response to the fall – saying Cheltenham ‘should be the first on that agenda’.
Medics and officials made their way to the scene quickly to attend to the horse, but unfortunately its injuries were too severe and it had to be put down.
Cheltenham suffered a tragic opening day as Shallwehaveonemore died in the first race
Dene Stansall, horse racing consultant for Animal Aid: ‘Seeing Shallwehaveonemore fall today was a tragedy that is repeated year-on-year at this notorious so-called Festival.
The incident came in the first race of the day – the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Dene Stansall, horse racing consultant for Animal Aid: ‘Seeing Shallwehaveonemore fall today was a tragedy that is repeated year-on-year at this notorious so-called Festival.
‘Far from being a festival, it exudes the worst in animal cruelty with a blatant disregard for the suffering it causes – horse deaths, agonising injuries and the brutality of whipping animals in public.
‘An end to horse racing would stop this horror show – the Cheltenham Festival should be the first on that agenda.
A Cheltenham spokesman said: ‘Sadly Shallwehaveonemore sustained an injury in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
‘He was immediately attended to by our highly experienced veterinary team, but after extensive treatment it was determined that it was necessary to put the horse to sleep. Our thoughts are with his connections.’
Cheltenham has gone to extra lengths to protect horses competing at the races – this week laying out its safety protocols ahead of the festival’s first day.
The Gary Moore-backed horse fell at the final fence and had to be put down after suffering severe injuries
Chris Luffingham, campaigns director at the League Against Cruel Sports, has commented on the tragic death of the horse Shallwehaveonemore who was put down after the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.
He said: ‘It is extremely upsetting to learn of the death of Shallwehaveonemore following the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.
‘The death toll at Cheltenham is simply unacceptable with a total of 70 horses having lost their lives at Festival since 2000.
‘New tighter safety measures need to be introduced to stop this senseless loss of life in the name of ‘sport’. We need an independent regulatory body with horse welfare as its only concern and an end to the use of the whip which forces the horse to go beyond what it is comfortably able to do resulting in death, injuries and stress.’
Racing authorities have been working hard to reduce the injuries suffered by horses amid pressure from animal welfare campaigners – with the racecourse announcing it had installed a horse weighing machine, built a equine hospital on site, as well as an X-ray machine at every meeting.
Other introductions include cooling fans in the unsaddling enclosure, a refurbished veterinary treatment box – 99 new stables, an equine solarium and rubberised horse walk stables in the pre-parade ring.
It came after Constitution Hill – the 9-4 joint favourite – took home the opening race of the day.
Nico de Boinville’s mount simply glided up the famous hill to account for stablemate Jonbon, with Willie Mullins’ Kilcruit well-beaten third.
The turning point of the Grade One was at the third-last flight, when the pace-setting Mullins-trained Dysart Dynamo crashed out, leaving the Henderson pair alone up front.
Crowds were watching the opening race unfold at Cheltenham after returning to the festival for the first time since the Covid pandemic
There was little between the duo going to two out – but Constitution Hill was going the better and soon took the lead.
The five-year-old, owned by Michael Buckley, quickly put daylight between himself and Jonbon to score by 22 lengths.
No other horse got into the race, with Kilcruit staying on to take minor honours another two and a half lengths away, as Henderson won the Supreme for a fifth time.
De Boinville said: ‘I knew it was going to be fast and furious and in fairness he did it like a piece of work. I was so happy going to the last. He could be anything, I’m sure he’d jump a fence as well. He’s got so much scope.
‘I didn’t really have a choice (to go for home when he did), he was travelling so well. They’ve gone a really hard gallop and he’s just picked the bridle up. I’m delighted for his owner Michael Buckley, he’ll be ecstatic.
‘What a way to start the week, what a legend.’
