RSPCA calls for urgent action to reduce number of equine fatalities

The RSPCA on Tuesday stressed the need for urgent action in racing to tackle the number of equine fatalities that last year hit its highest level since 2014.

The charity, which specialises in animal rescue and welfare, described the figure of 202 deaths from 93,004 runners last year, at a rate of 0.22 per cent, as "not acceptable".

There were 65 deaths on the Flat in 2018, up from 47 the previous year and 137 jump racing fatalities compared to 120 in 2017.

Among other figures released by the BHA on Monday was the five-year average, which offered more encouragement in remaining at 0.20 per cent, the lowest on record for a statistic less open to variance over a longer time span.

The BHA produced a 67-page report into the six on-course fatalities at the Cheltenham Festival in March, containing 17 recommendations for all of Cheltenham's fixtures and across jump racing.

The RSPCA described the report as a "starting point to visit the particular concerns of the festival", but feels much more needs to be done to reduce the number of fatalities in the sport in general.

A statement by the RSPCA read: "The number of fatalities are not acceptable and this requires urgent action.

"We await the final composition of the industry-wide welfare body together with the proposed changes they will consider.

"We see the Cheltenham initiative as a starting point to visit the particular concerns of the festival, but much more needs to be done in racing overall.

"The RSPCA will continue to monitor all aspects of racehorse welfare and maintain our position as a critical observer of the industry, with the sole aim of bettering horse welfare wherever possible."

The BHA will be assessing data, including month-by-month statistics, to discover whether the exceptionally dry and hot summer is among the factors which impacted the increase in fatalities last year.

A BHA spokesman said: "It is clear from all the work that the BHA and the sport is undertaking right now that we don't accept the current level of fatalities.

"Our whole approach is based on reducing the level of risk for our horses and riders. This is a priority for the industry and we must further raise our ambitions and build on the progress of the last 20 years.

"Working with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare will be an important part of our plans on this front."

There is a number of current welfare initiatives taking place, including a research project to develop a predictive model for identifying risk factors for jump racing, a phased trial using fluorescent yellow for hurdles and guard rails and fluorescent white for take-off boards in five training grounds across Britain and the assembling of a cross-industry welfare board to develop the sport's wider strategy.

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