Cheltenham Pageant criticised after demise of Springwell Bay

Cheltenham Pageant has been criticised by animal rights campaigners after the demise of racehorse Springwell Bay on Thursday.

Springwell Bay suffered a heavy fall within the Jack Richards Novices’ Restricted Handicap, and was attended to by veterinary professionals on the course.

A press release from Cheltenham learn: “In our second race of the day, Springwell Bay … sadly sustained a deadly damage. Our heartfelt condolences are together with his connections.”

Talking on ITV, presenter Ed Chamberlain stated: “There might be a tragic postscript to the race I am afraid as a result of I’ve been handed a observe to say that Springwell Bay, who took a nasty fall and was instantly tended to by the veterinary professionals, sadly sustained a deadly damage.

“Our heartfelt condolences exit to the connections of Springwell Bay. That could be a unhappy end to the race that was received by Caldwell Potter.”

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It was the 77th demise of a horse at Cheltenham since 2000, in line with Animal Help, which dubbed the occasion “one of the vital harmful racecourses on the planet for a horse to set foot upon”.

Organisers launched new foam-padded hurdles to the Prestbury Park course this yr in an effort to make leaping safer for horses and jockeys. The Jockey Membership stated the padded hurdles cut back the possibilities of falls by round 11 per cent.

However campaigners say the game doesn’t do sufficient to guard its horses.

Animal Help campaigns supervisor Nina Copleston-Hawkens stated: “Right here we’re once more – but another harmless life misplaced – while the trade cries crocodile tears and proclaim falsehoods about ‘welfare’ and ‘actually caring for the horses’.

“Make no mistake, any trade which income of the exploitation and demise of harmless animals is engaged on borrowed time – and Animal Help will be certain that horse racing is consigned to the historical past books the place it belongs.”