Calls for Cheltenham Festival boycott

National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports is calling on the public to boycott the Cheltenham Festival in protest at its shocking safety record and the 76 horses that have died racing there since 2000.

Figures compiled by Animal Aid show at least one horse has died at every single festival that has been held since the turn of the century and campaigners fear this year will be no different, with gambling profits being put before horse welfare.

The League is calling on people to not attend the festival, bet on it or watch the ITV coverage and the advertising set to run alongside it.

It has also lost faith in the British Horse Racing Authority and is calling for an independent regulatory body with horse welfare as it number one priority along with a ban on the use of the whip for ‘encouragement’.

Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “To have 76 horses dying at the Cheltenham Festival since 2000 is staggering and simply unacceptable if you are serious about animal welfare.

“The profits of gambling companies and people’s entertainment are being put before the well-being of the horses who are being pushed beyond what they can safely achieve.

“We are calling on people to boycott the festival by staying away, by refusing to bet on it, and by avoiding the TV coverage and advertising, which glosses over the cruelty of what is taking place.”

Highland Hunter and Ose Partir both died while racing at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024, Malinello died in 2023, while 2022 saw four deaths – Ginto, Born Patriot, Mindsmadeup and Shallwehaveonemore.

The use of the whip in horse racing was banned in Sweden in 2022 and can only be used to ward off a dangerous situation.

Emma added: “The British Horse Racing Authority needs to be replaced by an independent regulatory body that has horse welfare as its number one priority and that moves to ban the cruel use of the whip.

“The tragic reality is that it is almost inevitable we will see more horses being sacrificed during this year’s festival, losing their lives while people in the stands, unaware of the cruelty they are supporting, check their betting slips and phones.”

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Notes to editors

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 07496 496454 (24hrs) or email pressoffice@league.org.uk

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004 and the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021. We carry out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaign for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. We work to change attitudes and behaviour through education and manage wildlife reserves. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk. Registered charity in England and Wales (no.1095234) and Scotland (no.SC045533).