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Investigation into deaths at Cheltenham Festival
Raya Star at the Kingwell Hurdle, Wincanton, in February last year.
Raya Star at the Kingwell Hurdle, Wincanton, in February last year.

RSPCA to raise course factors with British Horseracing Authority

The deaths of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival, has prompted an investigation by the RSPCA.

The festival saw racecourse veterinary surgeons euthanise Our Conor on day one of the four day festival, after he suffered a serious back injury in a fall.

There were two casualties on day two; Akdam sustained a broken leg, and Stack the Deck a fractured left fore-knee.  Both were euthanised.

The fourth and final day meanwhile saw Raya Star euthanised after suffering a suspected broken back.

"The RSPCA is extremely saddened by the deaths of four horses at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.  Any evidence gathered will be considered as part of a full investigation by the RSPCA’s equine consultant.

"The findings of the investigation, and any possible course-related factors which may have contributed to the deaths, will be raised with the British Horseracing Authority and Cheltenham Racecourse management," said a spokesman for the RSPCA.

More than 450 horse raced over the four day festival.

Image by Carine06

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.