A horse has died at Cheltenham Festival today (March 15), on the first day of this week's races. Shallwehaveonemore sustained a fatal injury at the very first hurdle of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
The five-year old horse was trained by Gary Moore and owned by Steven Packham, , the Daily Star reports. ITV presenter Ed Chamberlin said on the broadcast: "I'm afraid the news it what we feared about Shallwehaveonemore.
"I'm afraid had to be put down after a fall. You have to feel so sorry for owner Steven Packham who's had no luck at the Cheltenham Festival over the last few years. Likewise the Moore family." And he added: "Sad start to the Cheltenham Festival, that is."
Read more: Cheltenham Festival 2020: Race schedule, TV channel, weather, and everything else you need to know
Following the fall ITV Racing tweeted: "We're sad to report Shallwehaveonemore has unfortunately had to be put down following a fall in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Our deepest sympathies to all connections".
According to the animal rights campaigners Animal Aid, 45 horses have died at Cheltenham Festival since 2007, and a further 60 horses have died as a result of racing in other events at the racecourse.
Figures show that in Britain, 14,000 horses enjoy a high level of care and a quality of life. British racing has self-imposed and enforced welfare standards with millions of pounds invested into veterinary research and education.
In the last 20 years a constant commitment and investment in minimising avoidable risk has seen the number of horses sustaining fatal injuries on racecourses decrease by a third, to 0.18% of runners in 2021.
Cheltenham Festival is due to continue until Friday, March 18.
