Racing fans were left in shock after two horses died in the same race at Cheltenham on Sunday.
Abuffalosoldier, ridden by Sean Bowen, produced a superb run to claim victory in the Holland Cooper Handicap Chase but collapsed just moments after crossing the finish line.
The winning jockey Bowen was seen doing an interview on Abuffalosoldier with ITV after the race before the horse went down.
Bangers And Cash also died after suffering a fatal injury during the race, with Cheltenham racecourse. it was later confirmed that they both died from suspected cardiac failure.
‘The winner of our fourth race, Abuffalosoldier, collapsed after the line and was immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals, but sadly could not be saved,’ a statement read. ‘Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.
‘Bangersandcash was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.’
Liam Kearns, Chief vet on course at Cheltenham, added: ‘(Abuffalosoldier) jumped everything fantastically well, he was full of running up to the finish but he collapsed shortly after the last and sadly died very quickly.
‘This was a cardiovascular collapse, it could be a heart attack it could be a major artery, we won’t know until the post mortem is done.
‘In the welfare situation, all these horses are thoroughly checked over at home, they won’t come to the races if their connections aren’t happy with them.
‘They are checked on arrival at the races, the vets team check them over when they get here. There are vets dotted around the course keeping an eye on them.
‘But in a highly athletic activity like this there is an unfortunate risk of this happening and we will try to mitigate it, but we cannot remove all risk.’
Devastated racing fans were quick to share their condolences on social media, with one posting: ‘Thoughts with all connections of these brave boys. Very very sad.’
Another wrote: ‘Horrifically sad for all involved. Such a fantastic race the winner ran. This is heartbreaking.’
Unfortunately, there was more heartbreak at Cheltenham when racing resumed, with Knapper Tandy suffering a fatal fall in the very next race.
A further statement from Cheltenham Racecourse read: ‘In our fifth race Napper Tandy was immediately attended to by expert veterinary professionals, but sadly sustained a fatal injury. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.’
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