The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced a review of welfare at Cheltenham racecourse following the Cheltenham Festival. It will look at the circumstances surrounding equine fatalities and long-term injuries.
It will publish recommendations that should reduce the level of risk to racehourses.
There will be six main categories in the review: The courses; the obstacles; participant factors; starts, safety factors and race tempo; programming and race conditions; and veterinary aspects. The BHA also announced that it would be examining whether the existing penalties for misuse of the whip, and how they apply, constitute an adequate deterrent to jockeys.
It will also seek relevant expert opinions to assist the review process, including recognised welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare. The review is expected to be concluded in summer 2018, allowing sufficient time for recommendations to be implemented ahead of the 2018/19 Jump season.