Three horses died within 45 minutes on the final day of Cheltenham Racecourse’s November Meeting, sparking heartbreak and controversy.
The tragic scenes unfolded on live TV, with race winner Abuffalo soldier collapsing shortly after his victory in the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase.
Jockey Sean Bowen, who had just piloted the seven-year-old Irish horse to a win, was thrown off when the horse suddenly veered away during a post-race interview and fell forward.
In the same race, Bangers And Cash, trained by Ben Pauling, also collapsed and was later confirmed dead from a “cardiovascular collapse,” according to The Sun.
Less than an hour later, in the Greatwood Hurdle, Napper Tandy suffered a fatal injury after falling at the second-last hurdle.
Bowen was still on Abuffalosoldier’s back when the horse went down before the cameras could cut away.
An ITV host later described how those who witnessed the scene were “visibly shaking.”
The crowd at Cheltenham quickly realized something was wrong when Abuffalosoldier did not return to the winner’s enclosure, turning the atmosphere somber.
The mood worsened as news of Napper Tandy’s death spread.
Despite immediate attention from on-course vets, none of the horses could be saved.
Warren Greatrex, trainer of Abuffalo soldier, expressed his devastation on social media, saying: “A very sad day for the team.
Thoughts are with Esme, who looked after and adored Abuffalo soldier, and to his owners Mahler & The Wailers.”
He added, “It’s heartbreaking. This sport can be the best in the world, but sometimes it can be the hardest within an instant.”
Sean Bowen also shared his grief on Twitter, stating: “A horrible day losing ABuffalo soldier.
He was brilliant today, and I couldn’t be more devastated for Warren, his team, and his owners.”
Cheltenham Racecourse issued a statement expressing condolences, noting that Abuffalo soldier collapsed shortly after the finish line and was attended by expert veterinary professionals but could not be saved.
They also confirmed Bangers And Cash sustained a fatal injury despite immediate veterinary care.
Chief vet at Cheltenham, Liam Kearns, explained: “Abuffalo soldier jumped everything fantastically well. He was full of running up to the finish but collapsed shortly after the last and sadly died very quickly.”
Kearns suggested a possible heart attack or major artery issue but emphasized that horses are thoroughly checked before races.
He acknowledged the risks inherent in high-intensity activities like horse racing but stressed ongoing efforts to mitigate them.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) also issued a statement, noting that the overall fatal injury rate in Jump racing is 0.42% of runners.
They expressed condolences to all connections and vowed to investigate the circumstances of each incident to reduce avoidable risks in the sport.
Animal rights group Animal Aid, however, called for a ban on horse racing in the UK.
Racing Consultant Dene Stansall criticized The Jockey Club and the BHA, claiming they have not done enough to prevent such fatalities.
“A ban on racing is the only answer to stop this lethal animal abuse,” Stansall asserted.
Racing fans took to social media to express their sorrow, with messages like: “Thoughts with all connections of these brave boys.
Very very sad,” and, “Truly devastating news, everyone’s thoughts here are with all the connections.”
Another post read, “Horrifically sad for all involved. Such a fantastic race the winner ran. This is heartbreaking.”
