🚨 Heartbreaking Update from Cheltenham Festival 🚨
In an unexpected and sombre turn of events, ITV’s live coverage of the Cheltenham Festival was interrupted to share some tragic news. Hansard, an eight-year-old horse competing in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, unfortunately sustained a fatal injury. Despite immediate medical attention from a team of expert veterinary professionals, the difficult decision was made to put him down for his welfare.
Hansard’s passing has shaken the racing community. Racing TV expressed their condolences and shared the sad news with a heavy heart: “Our condolences go to connections.” 💔
Despite the day’s sorrow, the race continued with Kargese claiming victory, while favourites Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba finished second and third, respectively.
Horse racing, like all sports, does come with risks. Yet, there’s been a strong commitment from organisations like The Jockey Club to minimise these risks. Since 2000, over £63 million has been invested in equine welfare initiatives, focusing on veterinary science, education, and research. This dedication has ensured a significant reduction in both fallers and fatal injuries over the years. In fact, the fatal injury rate in 2025 was just 0.22% of over 86,300 runners.
Innovations such as changing marker colours on racecourse jumps and the introduction of padded hurdles are part of ongoing efforts to improve safety. Furthermore, the racing industry regularly works with welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.
With horse racing being the second-most attended sport in the UK, after football, with five million attendees in 2025, it’s crucial to prioritise animal welfare. National Racehorse Week provides opportunities for individuals to see these efforts firsthand with 65,000 free places for visits to centres across the UK.
Our thoughts are with Hansard’s team during this difficult time. 🏇💔
#CheltenhamFestival #HorseRacing #EquineWelfare #RIPHansard