Three horses die at Kempton racing

[Abacus]

Interesting; thanks for sharing.

I appreciate there is no way to have a control as to how many fatalities these reviews have prevented, but the fatality % has remained much the same for the last thirty years.

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Without making any comment on the industry or whether these stats are good enough yet, there is actually about a 13.5% reduction in the fatality rate from 2001/2 to the period from 2021-2024. (0.24% to 0.2075%). (Edited)

 

[Peglo]

I would like the minimum age to be at least 4 for flat races and more for hurdles.

I prefer watching thoroughbreds race than high level dressage but the death rate in racing is shocking for something that “should” be more natural for a horse. I would like to see changes to try and combat this but when there’s competition with horses the risk of pushing them too far will always be there.

The amount of thoroughbreds that are for sale at the moment is very sad too.

 

[Chianti]

Are you me?

It’s not just those who’ve always detested racing, it’s those of us who used to be racing fans who are now totally sickened by it.

I was a bit in love with Kauto Star. Loved watching him race. I felt they tried to keep him going for too long. Ruby Walsh really disappointed me when Kauto had either not finished or had only been placed in one of his later Gold Cup runs. The horse must have won him a fortune over the years but he could hardly bring himself to say anything positive about him, although you could see he'd tried as much as he could. I think all the professionals involved with racing just see the horses as cash machines.

 

[Fullers1845]

We live literally 5 minutes from the nearest racecourse, my other half and some friends have tried to organise days there in the past and I won't go.

'But you love horses'

'Yep that's why I won't go'

 

[humblepie]

Kauto Star won the King George on his second last run, then fell and retired at Cheltenham. Must admit felt more sorry for him that he didn't go team chasing or similar and they tried to make him into a dressage horse. He never looked happy when he was doing displays.

BHA statement
The British Horseracing Authority also issued a statement, passing on its condolences to all those involved with the three horses and adding: “The BHA will now analyse each of the incidents in detail through our fatality review process. This involves an in-depth review into every fatality that occurs on a raceday, with input from experts including veterinarians, racecourse teams and participants.

“At this stage there does not appear to be any common factor that can be attributed to these incidents, with each of the injuries different in nature and sustained in unique circumstances.

“But as is the case where there is more than one fatality at a single race meeting, the BHA will also initiate its additional review process to assess all relevant factors in conjunction with the racecourse and determine whether there may be any causal links.”

 

[Tiddlypom]

Usual blah, blah then from the BHA.

 

[Burnttoast]

Kauto Star won the King George on his second last run, then fell and retired at Cheltenham. Must admit felt more sorry for him that he didn't go team chasing or similar and they tried to make him into a dressage horse. He never looked happy when he was doing displays.

BHA statement
The British Horseracing Authority also issued a statement, passing on its condolences to all those involved with the three horses and adding: “The BHA will now analyse each of the incidents in detail through our fatality review process. This involves an in-depth review into every fatality that occurs on a raceday, with input from experts including veterinarians, racecourse teams and participants.

“At this stage there does not appear to be any common factor that can be attributed to these incidents, with each of the injuries different in nature and sustained in unique circumstances.

“But as is the case where there is more than one fatality at a single race meeting, the BHA will also initiate its additional review process to assess all relevant factors in conjunction with the racecourse and determine whether there may be any causal links.”

*bounces up and down in chair with hand in air* "I can think of a causal link!"

 

[j1ffy]

Re Constitution Hill, I was also shocked to hear that they are entering him in the Champion Hurdle. If that was eventing (three falls in a row), aren't there rules in place to re-gain MERs? Why is there not something similar from the BHA - e.g. if a horse falls twice they do a racecourse schooling session to prove their jumping is up to scratch; mandatory vet and physio checks, etc.?

I do wonder how many fatalities are horses that have fallen in previous races, or been pulled up.

 

[Janique]

What people forget it's what happen after the races, behind the scene...

Horses breaking down and never seen again on a racecourse aren't in the statistics.

So many get injuried, they finish the race and go away ''sound '' then they brake down a few days later...

Last week, in a jumping race, I saw a terrible fall, the horse crashed, his neck had a terrible shock,
the camera showed him on his feet and walking away with his lass, the commentator said ;

Look, he is fine, he is walking away !

Well, I guess, he didn't break his neck but saying that the horse is fine after such a fall is stupid !

How can he be ok after this ? I felt that the commentator had blinkers on tbh !

 

[Janique]

Re Constitution Hill, I was also shocked to hear that they are entering him in the Champion Hurdle. If that was eventing (three falls in a row), aren't there rules in place to re-gain MERs? Why is there not something similar from the BHA - e.g. if a horse falls twice they do a racecourse schooling session to prove their jumping is up to scratch; mandatory vet and physio checks, etc.?

I do wonder how many fatalities are horses that have fallen in previous races, or been pulled up.

What i don't understand is why people are raving about Nicky Henderson being such a wonderful trainer.

Do horse people really think he is ?