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Cheltenham Festival horse Hansard dies on day one as heartbreaking statement released

Cheltenham Festival horse Hansard has died after running in the Arkle Novices' Chase, with ITV releasing a statement to confirm the cause of death

[Hansard died at the Cheltenham Festival]

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Hansard died at the Cheltenham Festival(Image: PA )

Hansard has died after racing in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase on day one of Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old, trained by Gary and Josh Moore, started as a long-shot outsider in the Arkle, the day's second race. But Hansard pulled up after suffering an injury.

A statement from the Jockey Club read: "While running on the flat in the second race of the day, Hansard sustained a fatal injury.

"He was quickly dismounted, immediately attended by a team of expert veterinary professionals, and their assessment concluded that the best course of action for the horse's welfare was for him to be put down."

The 2pm Arkle Chase was won by Kargese, trained by Willie Mullins. Winning jockey Danny Mullins told ITV: "I've always had a good relationship with her [Kargese]. Everyone was expecting us to burn off in front... I knew I hadnt burned the petrol early, and the final furlong is where she did her best work.

"Willie [Mullins] is just a master, it's great to be part of that team these [Cheltenham wins] are not a given, these are very special days. I hope for many more."

Like all sports, horse racing involves risks, but The Jockey Club - the owners of 15 racecourses in the UK and the organisers of both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals - work tirelessly to minimise the risks at its events.

Since 2000, the racing industry has invested more than 63 million in equine welfare, including veterinary science, education and research.

[Hansard died in the Arkle Novices' Chase]

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Hansard died in the Arkle Novices' Chase(Image: PA )

British racing has an independently-chaired Horse Welfare Board, whose long-term strategic plan 'A Life Well Lived' is already yielding results.

The rate of fallers in horse races has declined in all of the last 21 years and is now just 1.98 per cent of runners. The fatal injury rate in 2025 was just 0.22 per cent of 86,300 runners.

Some of the changes made include the changing of markers on jumps on all racecourses from orange to white, following research by Exeter University into equine vision, the change to padded hurdles after data found this would reduce fallers by 11 per cent and the introduction of a detailed review process within 48 hours of every fatality on a racecourse.

The racing industry regularly consults with established welfare organisations such as World Horse Welfare, RSPCA and Blue Cross to ensure it continually meets the highest standards.

Over 80 per cent of people say their perceptions of horse welfare change after visiting studs, training yards and aftercare centres. Sixty-five thousand free places for visits to centres become available during National Racehorse Week, which this year takes place from August 22nd to 31st.

With five million attendees in 2025, horse racing is the second-most attended sport in the UK behind football.

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