Cheltenham 2019: Ballyward horse death prompts charities to call for ‘immediate suspension’ of Festival

Just four of the 18 horses that started the National Hunt Challenge Cup finished the race, with Ballyward fatally falling and becoming in the first casualty at this year's Cheltenham Festival

An animal right charity has called for the Cheltenham Festival to be “immediately suspended” after Willie Mullins-trained Ballyward became the first horse to die at this year’s event.

The 9/4 favourite was one of nine fallers in a chaotic National Hunt Challenge Cup, where just four of 18 runners finished.

Ballyward’s injuries were assessed on the course by a veterinary team and the decision was taken to euthanise the seven-year-old.

A Cheltenham Racecourse spokesperson said: “Sadly Ballyward sustained an injury in the National Hunt Chase.

“They were immediately attended to by our vet team, who very sadly determined that it was necessary to euthanise them on welfare grounds.

“As animal lovers, we hate to lose any horse and of course we shall review this incident.

“Our thoughts are with the Ballyward’s connections.”

Seven horses died at the Cheltenham Festival last year and the racecourse is one of the worst for fatalities. 10 horses died at Cheltenham racecourse in 2018, second to the 11 deaths at Chelmsford.

Cheltenham has a high number of fatalities each year (Getty)

Animal rights charity Peta said, “more deaths are likely to follow, as fatal injuries such as broken legs and backs are common in horse racing,” while Animal Aid called for racing to be “suspended immediately”. Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant Dene Stansall also called on the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to do more. “The spotlight is now on the Racecourse and the British Horseracing to act with immediate effect.”

Four jockeys were handed suspensions on day one, including 2018 Cheltenham Top Jockey Davy Russell.

Russell will serve a two-day suspension later in March after the stewards said he “disobeyed instructions” he received from a vet and acted in an “improper way” towards a Racecourse employee.

Declan Lavery, Robert James and Noel McParlan will serve 10, 12 and eight-day suspensions respectively after the Festival for their riding in the National Hunt Chase.

Jockey Finian Maguire fell off Jessica Harrington-trained Whisperinthebreeze and was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for checks.

Additional safety measures have been introduced at Cheltenham this year after last year’s death toll. Each runner will have a veterinary check before racing and inexperienced jockeys are required to walk the course before riding.

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