Cheltenham Festival has been hit by a second horse death in as many days as tributes have poured in for HMS Seahorse – who fell during Wednesday’s races
A second horse has tragically died at Cheltenham Festival, as ITV were forced to announce the sad news on their broadcast.
HMS Seahorse was racing in the BetMGM Coral Cup when he fell at the final hurdle. And despite efforts, his death was announced on ITV. Tributes have poured in for HMS Seahorse and trainer Paul Nolan and jockey Eoin Staples.
A statement from Cheltenham racecourse regarding HMS Seahorse read: “HMS Seahorse was immediately attended to by a team of expert vets during our third race of the day, but sadly sustained an injury when falling at the final hurdle and could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with connections.”
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“HMS Seahorse this horse has a special place. Gutted,” one fan posted. While a second said: “Very sad news from Cheltenham. Rest in peace, HMS Seahorse.”
Like all sports, horse racing involves risks, but The Jockey Club – the owners of 15 racecourses in the UK and the organisers of both the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals – work tirelessly to continuously minimise the risks at its events.
Since 2000, the racing industry has invested more than £63 million in equine welfare, including veterinary science, education and research.
British racing has an independently-chaired Horse Welfare Board, whose long-term strategic plan ‘A Life Well Lived’ is already yielding results.
The rate of fallers in horse races has declined in all of the last 21 years and is now just 1.98% of runners. The fatal injury rate in 2025 was just 0.22% of 86,300 runners.
Some of the changes made include the changing of markers on jumps on all racecourses from orange to white, following research by Exeter University into equine vision, the change to padded hurdles after data found this would reduce fallers by 11% and the introduction of a detailed review process within 48 hours of every fatality on a racecourse.
The racing industry regularly consults with established welfare organisations such as World Horse Welfare, RSPCA and Blue Cross to ensure it continually meets the highest standards.
Over 80% of people say their perceptions of horse welfare change after visiting studs, training yards and aftercare centres. Sixty-five thousand free places for visits to centres become available during National Racehorse Week, which this year takes place from August 22nd to 31st.
With five million attendees in 2025, horse racing is the second-most attended sport in the UK behind football.