WARWICK Racecourse has defended criticism received by animal rights campaigners following the death of two horses at the venue’s opening fixture.
Eight-year-old geldings Fort Worth and Get Involved both lost their lives at the first fence in the home straight during Tuesday’s Grand Season Opener.
Though animal rights group Animal Aid claims the fence had little give, Warwick Racecourse defended the situation – highlighting safety in horse racing is a top priority.
A spokesperson for Warwick Racecourse said: “British Racing’s top priority is the safety of all its participants and we are open about and proud of the efforts the sport makes in this regard.
“You cannot remove all risk from any sport and that includes horseracing, but each year 90,000 horses race and 99.8% per cent do so without serious injury.”
The fatalities occurred three years after Warwick Racecourse switched to a jumps only venue following the death of Artful Lady during a flat meeting in May 2014.
Since then, the course has welcomed a 28 per cent in attendances. And more than 6,500 punters turned out at the course’s annual New Year’s Eve fixture.
But Dene Stansall, Animal Aid’s Racing Consultant, said the Jockey Club and Warwick Racecourse should be asking why the incidents occurred.
He said: “The falls of Fort Worth and Get Involved were shocking to see.
“While one horse fell in contention at full speed, the other should have been pulled up as he was behind and never in a position of winning.”