Think that betting on horses is a harmless flutter? Think again.
Ten years ago today (during the 2007 Cheltenham Festival), Tonbridge-based animal advocacy charity,
Animal Aid, established a database to chronicle race horse fatalities and the causes of them.
During that decade, the database has recorded the deaths of one thousand, five hundred and seven race horses. As the 2017 Cheltenham Festival commences, I wish to bring to the attention of Charlton Lifers the fact that, on average, over the past decade, a race horse has died 'in action' every 2.42 days; that's nearly three fatalities per week....for ten years. That is a disgrace.
In recent years I have presented, on this website, the case against horse racing (especially 'jump racing') and readers may find the ensuing discussions on other threads. I don't wish to repeat the welfare arguments here. Neither do I wish to post this information within an existing 'Cheltenham Festival 2017' thread (which was established by proponents of horseracing); that thread is 'theirs' and I don't wish to subvert it.
This thread is presented in order to impart information. I hope that it assists in widening the debate about the perils inherent in horse racing.
See the Database here:
horsedeathwatch.com/index.phpBlood And Sweat And Tears - 1,500 Race Horses Dead The Huffington Post, 12th March 2017
huffingtonpost.co.uk/dene-stansall/blood-and-sweat-and-tears_b_15241644.html? 
Comments
What a load of old pony!
Walking down the street is dangerous as is life , suggest you get one
Motor Racing, christ how dangerous is that ?
Ban rugby, that's bloody dangerous.
Ban spectators from cricket & golf.
Ban fun !
Not advocating for banning horse racing myself, just think it's a bad comparison when A_K is talking about fatalities resulting from the sport.
Just playing devils advocate here but the above all have one thing in common - the participants are human and have made the informed decision to take part. Do the horses have the same luxury?
Can't see it being ever banned but if subtle changes are made to the sport to reduce these deaths then all the better.
Meire banned fun at the valley
I prefer camel toe but go on......
A far more pressing problem than horse-racing - that folk will kill horses and dump them in a city street, and nobody gives a toss.
This isn't niche stuff, these are some of,the biggest events on the sporting calendar. This angle repeatedly takes the enjoyment from those event. Now,you of course may think 'good', but it causes unnecessary division on here and to be honest, it's not the audience for it.
So not saying you are wrong, but please find alternative audiences for this angle / debate please, which will be more suited to your stance. Thanks a lot
It's because of the unquestioned, year-after-year, pro-racing comments that I saw fit to question 'orthodoxy' and present a different point of view. My comments have been made in good faith and I have provided factual evidence to back them up.
I disagree with your comment that CL is "not the audience for it". Is this an open forum, or not? I don't wish to waste time on animal advocacy forums. They know the score. A football forum is an ideal place in which to question prevailing orthodoxy and conservative thought.
I have made clear my intention not to 'stoke' on the numerous pro-racing threads.
What is this? Cosy Corner? Status Quo? One Of Us?
And as soon as there's a hint of opposition, the proponents cry 'foul'. Talk about wanting it both ways!
As to your "we have never found a way to make this debate work". Yes, we have. It's called the Internet and freedom to express a factually-based view, without recourse to swearing or threat.
But to tell me to cease altogether? No, that's not on.
They are only horses.