British Horseracing Authority Champions Racehorse Welfare at Cheltenham Festival

In the wake of the initial Cheltenham Festival races, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the health and prosperity of racehorses.

As the esteemed, multi-day Cheltenham Festival commenced, the BHA issued a declaration concerning racehorse welfare and security within Britain.

“British racing is devoted to the utmost benchmarks of well-being for all thoroughbred racehorses across England, Scotland, and Wales,” a BHA spokesperson conveyed.

“Over 6,000 individuals employed within the racing sector throughout Britain commit themselves daily to the care of more than 20,000 racehorses.

“Moreover, we take pride in the elevated standards of welfare experienced by our racehorses, both on and off the course, during and following their racing tenures.”

The declaration proceeded to elaborate that £47 million (US$36.3 million) has been allocated to research and education in this domain over the preceding two decades.

At the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, there will be nine veterinarians, three veterinary attendants, six horse emergency vehicles, and six equine apprehension units on alert, with each horse undergoing a veterinary assessment prior to receiving clearance to compete.

The BHA holds the responsibility for establishing the criteria for equine welfare that others must subsequently adhere to, encompassing regulations and disciplinary protocols.

Past the British Horseracing Authority’s own endeavors, the autonomous Horse Welfare Board supervises 26 programs designed to better the lives of racing horses. With earmarked support of £5.5 million, 21 of these endeavors are presently active, showcasing a firm dedication to equine health.

Tackling the critical facet of racehorse post-career transition, the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) organization plays a key part in guaranteeing enduring, stable futures for these animals once their competitive careers conclude.

In a more lighthearted vein, Cheltenham witnesses the debut of a novel horse racing-centric bingo game, a joint effort between Oddschecker and Low6, injecting a dash of amusement into the realm of equestrian pursuits.