Kempton claims three lives: 'Investigate the ground, the fences, the timing - whatever needs to be looked at'

At the meeting on Saturday 10th January, three racehorses were fatally injured in separate incidents, a rare and tragic occurrence that has deeply affected the racing community.

The horses killed were Kalif Du Berlais, a Grade One-winning chaser trained by Paul Nicholls; Wertpol, a juvenile hurdler trained by Harry Derham and Peso, trained by Jonjo and A J O'Neill.

Each sustained injuries during their respective races that were assessed as untreatable by the on-course veterinary teams, and all were humanely euthanised.

Tributes have poured in from trainers, owners and racing staff, and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has emphasised that it will analyse each incident in detail through its fatality review process, involving experts and veterinary input to determine whether any safety improvements are needed.

Ongoing review to identify cause

At this stage there appears to be no single common factor linking the three fatalities, but the review is ongoing as part of wider efforts across British racing to improve safety and reduce avoidable risks.

Speaking on irishracing.com’s Irish Angle, Johnny Ward shares his opinion ‘If we’re not prepared to accept that horses will die in jump racing, then there’s no point having it at all. It is part of the sport. This is one of the necessary evils of the jumps game, whether we like it or not.’

Paddy Flood added: ‘It’s sickening for those of us in the industry to see horses lose their lives. Last week I misspoke - I said we were spending more money on horse welfare than promotion, but what I meant was that we’re spending more money trying to convince people who don’t like racing, and never will, that racing is acceptable. You’ll never change some minds - people have made their decision.’

Honesty is the best policy

Racing would benefit greatly from increased transparency, particularly regarding horse welfare, injuries, and fatalities.

While authorities like the BHA and Horse Racing Ireland publish data and conduct investigations, the information is often technical, delayed, or hard for the public to access, leaving many unclear about the risks involved.

Greater transparency, such as real-time reporting of incidents, clear explanations of investigations, and updates on the aftercare of retired or injured horses would build public trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to welfare.

Honest communication from owners, trainers, and jockeys would also counter perceptions of secrecy and defensiveness, while highlighting areas where safety improvements could prevent future tragedies. In short, openness is essential for maintaining credibility and improving both horse welfare and public confidence in the sport.

Paddy Flood continued: ‘I think the best policy is honesty. You have to come out and say that three horses were killed, and then say we’re going to look into it.

"Investigate the ground, the fences, the timing - whatever needs to be looked at. Don’t brush it under the carpet and hope nobody notices. That only gives anti-racing voices more ammunition, allowing them to shout louder and make up their own narratives.

"If you’re open and honest “This is what happened, this is jump racing” you might take criticism, but at least there’s nothing shady. People can’t accuse you of hiding anything.

"What people outside racing often don’t understand is the emotional impact. They might think it’s just another horse gone, money down the drain. But there’s a groom who’s been riding that horse every day, brushing it, washing it, caring for it.

"An owner who pays the bills and loves the horse. A trainer for whom that horse is part of the family. Those people will be hollow for a long time afterwards."

Racehorses v Leisure horses

Racehorses and leisure horses differ significantly in terms of knowledge, care, and risk.

Racehorses are under the constant supervision of professional trainers, grooms, and veterinarians, with carefully monitored diets, exercise routines, and medical attention, which maximises performance and overall health.

Leisure horses, on the other hand, are often managed by owners with varying levels of experience, leading to potential gaps in knowledge about nutrition, training, behavior, and long-term welfare.

While racehorses face higher risks of injury or fatality due to the intensity of racing, leisure horses are more vulnerable to chronic health problems, poor conditioning, or preventable accidents because their care depends entirely on the owner’s expertise.

In short, racehorses benefit from professional, structured care but high-risk activity, whereas leisure horses are safer from racing hazards but rely heavily on the owner’s knowledge and diligence for their welfare.

Johnny Ward summed up: ‘Racehorses are among the best-looked-after animals in the world, bar maybe your pet dog. They’re incredibly well cared for while in training.’

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