Speaking on the eve of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, an RSPCA spokesperson said: “Ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, we hope that each and every horse taking part comes through safely and well.
“It is desperately sad that 32 horses have died at the Festival over the last decade – a situation at odds with the UK’s status as a nation of animal lovers. Clearly any animal fatality is tragic, and this is amplified when deaths have occurred solely as a result of providing entertainment for people.
“The RSPCA shares public concerns about race-horse welfare, so we engage with the industry to advocate for equine welfare improvements. We met with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival and will maintain daily contact throughout, highlighting the importance of this ongoing relationship.
“As a result of this engagement, a number of positive changes have been implemented in the past to reduce risks to racehorses, and improve welfare at courses and in training. These include improvements in hurdle design, track safety, and risk mitigation for the Grand National – but we recognise that there is much more to do.
“Cheltenham is one of the biggest events in the horse-racing calendar – and we know the eyes of the world will be on Prestbury Park in the coming days. But it’s also important to remember this is one of hundreds of competitive horse-racing events that take place across England and Wales every year – and the welfare of horses at all these events is equally important, as is their experience both on and off the track.
“That’s why we will keep engaging with the racing industry to encourage continual welfare improvements and explore further measures to protect horses from injury and death, and promote good welfare throughout their lives.
“The Cheltenham Festival is one of the largest sporting economic drivers in the UK – attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators, accounting for a large percentage of gambling turnover, and providing a huge boost to the Gloucestershire economy. The very least the horses competing deserve in return is to have every possible step taken to improve their safety and welfare. We have received welcome assurances from the BHA that this continues to be a priority for them too.”