Cheltenham death toll sparks renewed call for boycott

National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports is calling for a boycott of the Cheltenham Festival and government intervention to tackle the horse racing industry’s flagrant disregard for the lives of the horses.

It comes after figures compiled by Animal Aid show that horses have died racing at the festival every single year since the year 2000, with the death toll now reaching 78.

As the festival is once again due to begin, the League says the British Horseracing Authority is not fit for purpose as it prioritises gambling profits over the lives of horses.

Emma Slawinski, League Against Cruel Sports chief executive, said: “Let’s be clear, any human sport that results in death every time it is run would simply be banned, so why are the Cheltenham Festival and the British Horseracing Authority allowed to put gambling profits before welfare?

“The death toll cannot be ignored any longer – how can it be a fun day out when horses are being sacrificed for people’s entertainment and dying in front of you?

“The public have the power to protest by staying away from the festival, refusing to bet on the races, and by ignoring television coverage and the adverts running with it.”

At last year’s festival, Springwell Bay was the first casualty during the meet, before Corbetts Cross died in the festival’s flagship Gold Cup event.

As well as government reform, the League also wants to see whip use banned, something that Sweden implemented in 2022 over concerns for welfare.

Emma added: “Whipping horses forces them to race beyond their capabilities, leading to injury and death.

“The government needs to ensure that horse welfare is top priority in racing and to end this death toll – otherwise more horses will inevitably be killed during this year’s and future festivals.”

Ends

Notes to editors

For information or interview requests, please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk

Animal Aid has published a new report called ‘Victims of British and Irish horse racing’.

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and bans on the use of snares brought about by the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, and Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024.

We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).