“Horses are forced to run speeds of over 30 miles per hour while carrying people on their backs, often resulting in fatal injuries” says PETA Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organisation in the world, and PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally. As the biggest horse racing festival in the world, the Cheltenham Festival, is on right now we spoke to PETA representative, Allen, getting her opinion on the treatment of racehorses.
“27 horses have died as a result of racing at the Cheltenham Festival since 2020, including three horses who died in November 2024 – Napper Tandy fell and broke their neck, Bangers and Cash collapsed during the race, and Abuffalosoldier collapsed and died after the finish. If festival organisers truly cared about the welfare of horses, they simply wouldn’t host these deadly events.
“Animal abuse should be front and centre of all festival coverage, to remind the public that pushing horses past their breaking point in this greedy and ghastly spectacle is a stain on the British reputation as an animal-loving nation.”
Sadly, in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 2:00itspm on day three, Springwell Bay fell at a jump and sadly sustained a fatal injury. Trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, Springwell Bay – ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr today – is the first horse to die at Cheltenham this year and the 77th horse to lose its life at the Festival since 2000. Springwell Bay had enjoyed success at previous Cheltenham meetings and won the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase in January after placing at meetings in November and December.
We are truly heartbroken to have lost Springwell Bay at Cheltenham today.
— O'Neill Racing (@oneill_racing) March 13, 2025
He was the sweetest, most talented horse who was loved by the whole team, especially his groom Tirana.
Our thoughts are with his owners Gay, Derrick and Paul Smith. pic.twitter.com/FA4kv5wUFG
“Over 2,500 horses have died in UK horse racing events since 2007 – from crippling falls, heart attacks, and other injuries that led to them being euthanised. And that’s just on the course; horses who can’t run fast enough are often discarded like used betting slips . Ultimately, the only way to ensure the welfare of horses is to cancel the Cheltenham Festival and all racing festivals.
“Festival organisers and the racing industry must take responsibility for the horses they exploit for profit and provide them with care for their whole lives. The government is complicit in the carnage by funding horse racing, so the tap for that money must be turned off immediately.”
Horses are dying every year not just at Cheltenham, but in the sport of horse racing in general. Should the ancient sport be abolished due to these horses dying so frequently, or is it just a sad part of the sport that takes place?
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