Racehorse Springwell Bay dies after fall at the Cheltenham Festival
Thoroughbred Springwell Bay has passed away during the third day of the Cheltenham Festival following a severe tumble. The eight-year-old bay gelding, competing in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase this afternoon, had earlier claimed victory in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase on January 1st.
Under the guidance of trainers Jonjo and AJ O'Neill and piloted by Jonjo O'Neill Jr, Springwell Bay becomes the first equine casualty at this year's festival.
Cheltenham issued an official notice: "During our second race today, Springwell Bay received immediate attention from our veterinary team, but unfortunately suffered a fatal injury. We extend our sincere sympathies to all those connected with him."
ITV commentator Ed Chamberlain shared the sad news on air: "I must relay a sorrowful update about the race, as I've received information that Springwell Bay, who took a bad fall and was promptly treated by veterinary staff, has sadly experienced a fatal injury. We offer our deepest condolences to Springwell Bay's connections. This brings a sad conclusion to the race won by Caldwell Potter."
Animal welfare organizations have voiced their distress regarding the death, noting that Springwell Bay marks the 77th horse fatality at Cheltenham since 2000. Last year, three horses died on a single Sunday afternoon – including one during an ITV interview.
Elisa Allen, Vice President of Programs at animal rights group PETA, called the sport "revolting" following the equine death, describing the tragic event as "expected."
She told MailOnline: "The Cheltenham Festival has taken the lives of 76 horses over the past 25 years, making Springwell Bay's death on the track as expected as it is heartbreaking. While racing celebrates human entertainment with champagne, it cannot conceal the bloodshed, with horses forced to their limits and beyond. If cats or dogs were breaking ankles, snapping necks, and being killed when no longer profitable, nobody would cheer. Each horse is an individual who deserves better than bleeding and dying for this appalling activity."
Nina Copleston-Hawkens from Animal Aid added: "Once again we witness another innocent life lost – while the industry sheds fake tears and makes false claims about 'welfare' and 'truly caring for the horses'."
The British Horse Racing Authority has put more than £50million into improving equine health since 2000. They perform a complete death investigation process, collecting details from racecourse personnel, riders, trainers, and veterinarians while examining the horse's medical history.
This incident follows one year after one of Cheltenham's bleakest days when three horses died during a single afternoon. Last year's tragedy included Abuffalosoldier, who had just won the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase with jockey Sean Bowen.
Bangers And Cash also experienced a cardiac arrest after stopping at fence 14, while Napper Tandy had a deadly fall in the Greatwood Hurdle race.
Abuffalosoldier – guided by Sean Bowen, schooled in Lambourn by Warren Greatrex and possessed by the Mahler and The Wailers group - had shown exceptional jumping skills in the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase and finished to enthusiastic applause.
ITV's field reporter Alice Plunkett met Bowen at the straight's top, as is traditional, and received his thoughts about the race. However, just after their conversation ended, Abuffalosoldier lost stability and slid to the ground. The broadcast immediately switched views.
Racecourse veterinarians attended to the seven-year-old gelding but could not rescue him. The day had already turned grim when Bangers And Cash – trained by Ben Pauling for OAP II owners and ridden by Ben Jones – stopped at fence 14 of 22. He also suffered a cardiac arrest.
The distressing nature of these events left ITV's presenting team, led by Ed Chamberlin, noticeably distraught, and those connected to the horses were inconsolable. Viewers described the scenes as "unwatchable" and "devastating."
The situation worsened when Napper Tandy, trained by Matthew J Smith for owner Ray Stokes, had a fatal accident in the next race, the Greatwood Hurdle.
Nina Copleston-Hawkens from Animal Aid added: "Any industry profiting from innocent animal exploitation and death operates on limited time – and Animal Aid will ensure horse racing becomes only a historical footnote where it belongs."