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Investigation reveals horse fatality statistics




Campaign group Animal Aid has revealed that six horses died at Newbury Racecourse in the past 12 months

SIX horses died at Newbury Racecourse in the past 12 months, according to an investigation by campaign group Animal Aid.

The campaign group, which established an online database Race Horse Deathwatch in 2007, has revealed that 48 of Britain's 60 racecourses suffered at least one fatality over the past 12 months, with six at Newbury, including two in one day on March 5 (the figures do not include the two horses that were accidentally electrocuted in February this year).

According to the investigation, 162 horses died on British racecourses in the past 12 months, with Cheltenham racecourse suffering the most fatalities with 13 - Newbury was ranked joint fourth with Aintree and Plumpton, behind Cheltenham, Market Rasen (11) and Worcester (7).

Joint managing director of Newbury Racecourse, Stephen Higgins, said the welfare of horses and jockeys was the racecourse's top priority, adding that the racecourse worked closely with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and had a team of veterinary surgeons on duty at every raceday to help with equine safety and welfare.

He added: “We also actively work with the horsemen and local racing community on equine welfare issues and, in the unfortunate case of an equine injury or fatality, we communicate closely with these groups and the horse's connections.”

Director of Equine Science and Welfare at the BHA, Professor Tim Morris, added that horse racing has close and constructive relationships with genuine animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, adding that those involved in horse racing care deeply about horses and recognise their responsibility to care for horses and reduce unnecessary risks.

He said: “Animal Aid, on the other hand, is an animal rights organisation that is against the use if all animals in sport and leisure and actively campaigns against horseracing and wishes to see it banned. To put the figures into context, in 2010 there were over 90,000 racecourse performances.

“We closely monitor all injuries and will take action if there appears to be any common link between injuries at a specific racecourse.”



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