Cheltenham Fatalities

Published: 17 March 2006

CHELTENHAM FATALITIES

Peter Webbon, Jockey Club Director of Veterinary Science and Welfare said:

“We are deeply upset by the fatalities at this year’s Cheltenham Festival and our sympathies go out to the connections of those horses which have been fatally injured.

“We monitor injuries and fatalities on an ongoing basis as a matter of routine and, from a veterinary and welfare point of view, we always review the major racing festivals and the high number of fatal injuries at Cheltenham this year will be subject to particularly close inspection.

“As part of this review, we will sit down with the Cheltenham executive and our welfare partners, the RSPCA and International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) to discuss any lessons to be learned or action to be taken.”

17th March 2006

Notes for Editors:

1. There are two Jockey Club Veterinary Officers on duty at Cheltenham each day overseeing veterinary procedures, assisted by three Veterinary Technicians.

2. Seven Veterinary Surgeons are deployed around the course and are on hand within seconds of an incident.

3. Four horse ambulances are deployed on site to attend and transport injured horses.

4. Cheltenham has an on-site Veterinary Centre providing treatment and assessment.