A report into a series of high-profile deaths in racing has suggested that id the sport does not heed the warning and address issues of welfare, the very future of chasing could be jeopardised.
Seven deaths at the Cheltenham Festival were described as “completely unacceptable” by the British Horseracing Authority, and a total of 17 recommendations were made in the report.
Among those ideas were enhanced veterinary procedures, amendments to racing conditions, and a further study into the analytics of fallers.
Quoted by BBC Sport, BHA chief executive Nick Rust said:
It’s an important day for racing. We want to leave no stone unturned,
Unless we stay well ahead on this issue, it could be a threat to our sport.
British racing must work together to reduce the risk of injuries occurring at the Festival and indeed jump racing as a whole.
Boss at the Cheltenham racecourse Ian Renton echoed these sentiments:
We would like to thank the BHA for completing the review and will act in accordance with their recommendations as they apply to Cheltenham,
As part of staging world-class jump racing, we are committed to delivering the very highest welfare standards.
