The winner’s enclosure remained vacant following the major handicap chase at Cheltenham on Sunday, casting a somber tone over the rest of the November meeting. Out of the 40 runners in the five jumps races, three did not return home, including Abuffalosoldier, the victor of a valuable handicap chase broadcast live on ITV Racing.
Abuffalosoldier collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line in the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase, just as ITV Racing’s on-course reporter, Alice Plunkett, was concluding an interview with his rider, Sean Bowen. This incident occurred less than five minutes after Bangers And Cash suffered a similar mid-race collapse while jumping the 14th fence. Both horses were later confirmed to have experienced a suspected cardiovascular collapse.
The third fatality of the day happened in the subsequent race, the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, which was also shown live on ITV. Napper Tandy, a 66-1 outsider, was euthanized after sustaining a serious injury in a fall at the second-last flight.
A spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority expressed in a statement that the deaths of the three horses were “a tragedy for all connections” and conveyed their thoughts to those affected. The statement also highlighted the outstanding care provided to the horses throughout their lives and emphasized the ongoing efforts to reduce avoidable risks in the sport.
Liam Kearns, part of the veterinary team at Cheltenham, described the occurrence of two cardiovascular collapses in the same race as “a huge coincidence.” He explained that while it’s uncertain whether these were true heart attacks or ruptured major blood vessels, both horses were attended to within seconds by deployed vets.
The loss of three runners overshadowed the day’s racing events, but Burdett Road, the top weight, managed a half-length victory in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle and may now aim for the Champion Hurdle in March. Meanwhile, in France, Il Est Francais, a top novice chaser, was unexpectedly pulled up during the Prix la Haye Jousselin, raising questions about his participation in the upcoming King George VI Chase.
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