Animal Aid

Amid the festival atmosphere building up to today's big Cheltenham race, the death of two horses at the four-day event has been concealed from the general public.

Persian Waters and Laska De Thaix are the latest victims of Cheltenham - Britain's deadliest racecourse, according to a major new Animal Aid investigation. The campaign group's report also reveals that around 375 horses are raced to death every year in Britain.

This year's Festival Meeting claimed its first horse death on Wednesday in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase when Persian Waters collapsed and died shortly after finishing the gruelling three mile race.

His demise was followed on Thursday by the death of Laska De Thaix, trained by Philip Hobbs. Laska De Thaix was brought down by the fallen horse Sixo, at the 14th fence during the 4.40 race, and was destroyed having broken a foreleg.

This was Hobbs's second horse death of the week. His fancied Gold Cup runner Farmer Jack, died on the gallops of a heart attack in his preparation work for the big race, which has already seen favourite Best Mate pulled out due to ruptures deep in his lungs.

Notes to Editors

• Animal Aid's new report, This Unsporting Life: Race Horse Deaths in British Racing, and a 90-second web film can be viewed online.
• A 15-minute horse death documentary is available on request.
• Since 2000, Animal Aid has produced four major investigations into the racing industry. For full background click here.
• More information from Andrew Tyler or Chris Anderson on 01732 364546.
• We have an ISDN line for broadcast-quality interviews.