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A very bad day at Uttoxeter today with this grand old horse lost in the same race that claimed Another Hero. Possibly a heart attack if social media is to be believed. R.I.P.
I’m sorry, I am no bunny hugger, but they should not have run that race in the existing weather conditions. How can we as supporters of racing hold our heads up?
Totally agree it’s ridiculous to run such a race in this weather, so sad for all the horses that have lost their lives today and if this weather continues sadly in future days to come.
It makes me feel guilty for loving the sport.This much loved warrior has now lost his life and feel so sad for the owners and those who cared for him.
Isn’t it time that after the Grand National has run National Hunt closes shop until around October as it used to be, nowadays there seems no definitions to when it ends. This is midsummer and horses should not be running such distances in these conditions.
RIP The Romford Pele
Please let something be done to help these beautiful horses who give there all for our p!easure.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...A real sickener as one of my favourites lost his life earlier today in such horrific circumstances.
Like as already been said maybe it’s time we didn’t ask these lovely jumpers to run in such unseasonably hot conditions especially over longer distances.
BHA denies any link with the hot weather. I am not sure I believe it. It stands to reason that an increase in body temperature is more problematic during hot weather and this can put extra stress on the heart. The Romford Pele was pulled up at the 3rd last where the “increased provision of cool water, areas of shade and earlier access to stables” at the finish wouldn’t have helped his chances of surviving. Regardless of whether it was actually a factor or not, I think running these long distance chases in the heat, on unusually firm or excessively watered ground is a risk we can live without and the BHA should take it as a wake up call.
I agree Tonge. I saw the same report and thought the same as you. I am minded of the British Athletics Champs this w/e past in Birmingham, where the water tables were out for all the longer distance races (3k and over), and which were being used by most athletes in the fields after only a couple of laps. No surprises there for anyone who has tried running more than a short sprint in such temperatures (let alone jumping as well).
I have never been a fan of summer jumping and don’t watch it or engage with it (ground reasons). But excessive heat brings a totally different dimension to it. It is one thing asking a flat horse to run a 5-6f sprint in these temperatures. It is totally another to ask a (usually much heavier) jumps horse to lump a much bigger weight at a gallop for 3 miles and to jump 18-20 substantial fences in 25 degrees plus. The evening fixtures are less of an issue – at least for races after 7-8pm. But what I would like to see is a maximum temperature threshold for staying chases, above which the races are abandoned on welfare grounds.
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