Organisers at the Cheltenham festival have defended their safety record after four horses died over the course of the event this year.
In the first face of the week, Shallwehaveonemore fell and resulted in the first fatality of the week.
A further two horses had to be put down on Thursday when Born Patriot and Mindsmadeup fell in their races, resulting in them being euthanised.
On Friday, highly rated horse Ginto, who was worth €470,000, fell and suffered an injury during the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
73 horses have had to be put down after racing at the Cheltenham Festival since 2000, according to Animal Aid.
The RSPCA have said they are “extremely concerned” about the wellbeing and safety of these horses racing during the event.
The Jockey Club released a statement saying they “work tirelessly to do everything we can for the horses.”
Ian Renton, director of the Jockey Club, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: “All our team here work absolutely tirelessly to do everything we can for horses and human welfare and that is absolutely paramount in everything we think.
“We got criticised for watering [the course] on Tuesday night, the reason for that is to try to ensure we produce absolutely the safest ground, and we will continue to do that.”
