Drama unfolds at Cheltenham racetrack. The gelding “Abuffalosoldier” gallops to victory, then suddenly collapses during his jockey’s winner’s interview and dies. But that’s not all: two more horses don’t survive this race day.
A series of tragic incidents occurred on Sunday at a traditional horse race in Cheltenham, England. Three horses lost their lives during the “November Meeting,” including the winner of a race who collapsed immediately after his triumph.
The seven-year-old gelding “Abuffalosoldier” won the “Holland Cooper Handicap Chase”, the fourth race of the day. However, shortly after crossing the finish line, the horse suddenly collapsed while its jockey Sean Bowen was still sitting on horseback being interviewed by a reporter. The jockey fell and the cameras switched off. Veterinarians rushed to the animal and a privacy screen was set up around the horse during treatment. But “Abuffalosoldier” could not be saved; the gelding died on the race track.
In the same race, the horse “Bangers And Cash” also suffered a collapse and died. Another victim of the day was the six-year-old gelding “Napper Tandy”, who fell so badly in the following race, the “Unibet Greatwood Hurdle”, that he died from his injuries.
Investigations initiated
The British Horseracing Authority, the regulator of horse racing in Britain, said it would thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The local racing doctor Liam Kearns suspected cardiovascular problems as the cause of the sudden collapses. He told ITV about the death of “Abuffalo Soldier”: “The horse ran in front and jumped fantastically well. After that, as he was going around the top of the bend, he collapsed and was dead in no time. This will be a cardiovascular problem. It could be a heart attack, it could be a large artery – we won’t know until a post-mortem is done.”
The incidents have reignited debate in Britain about the safety and ethics of horse racing. Animal rights activists have been calling for a ban on such events for some time, which they consider to be animal cruelty.
“Abuffalo Soldier” and “Bangers And Cash” are to be autopsied. The results of the announced investigations are eagerly awaited.
SUF
