Third horse dies at Cheltenham, in his last race

Cheltenham Festival Marks Another Tragic Loss for Horses

Envoi Allen, a 12-year-old horse, succumbed to complications following a ninth-place finish in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the event’s most prestigious race. This marks the third fatality at this year’s Cheltenham festival, raising concerns among officials and animal welfare advocates.

Legacy of a Champion

Known for his 10 Grade One victories, Envoi Allen began his career under Gordon Elliott’s training before transitioning to Henry de Bromhead’s stable. His owners, Cheveley Park Stud, had planned to retire him after this appearance, which would have been his eighth at the festival.

“Lessons must be learned from tragedies like this – around the contributing factors, pre-and mid-race decision-making, and means of prevention,” said RSPCA in a statement following the death of the second horse at the event.

Investigation into Race Starts

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has initiated a review of race starts at Cheltenham following multiple false starts. While no details about the recent deaths have been posted on their website, the incident has sparked calls for improved safety measures in the sport.

HMS Seahorse and Hansard were the other horses to perish during the festival. The tragic events have drawn attention to the challenges faced by racehorses, particularly in their final races. The BHA’s inquiry aims to address potential issues that may have contributed to these incidents.

Read more from Sky News: All crew members killed in US refuelling plane crash in Iraq. Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia set to be cancelled. Man jailed after starving dogs to death at ‘rehoming’ centre in Essex. ‘Britain’s loneliest sheep’, Fiona, gives birth for first time. Licences to control wild birds have been suspended following golden eagle’s disappearance.