Dear John

The Cheltenham Festival took place this week. As you may already know, Copper Gone West lost her life in the Pertemps Network Hurdle on Thursday. The Cheltenham Festival, and the racing industry as a whole, is a disgrace.

Twenty years ago, Animal Aid started our campaign to expose the cruelty in horse racing. It’s no understatement to say that we have made significant progress during that time. Our Race Horse Deathwatch database records all victims of racing and has forced the industry to admit the level of fatalities. The 2018 Parliamentary debate – initiated by Animal Aid – forced the industry to set up its own welfare body in an effort to appease politicians. This debate was triggered because more than 105,000 kind people like you signed our government petition.

There is a long, long way to go until the day when horses are no longer used and exploited for so-called entertainment – but please feel emboldened by the progress that we have made together. The racing industry is really feeling the heat – and it’s thanks to all of you who have helped spread the word and who have supported our campaign.

It is vital that we keep up the pressure as the racing calendar prepares itself for the next notorious event – the three-day Grand National meeting (2-4 April).

Here are three ways that you can help. Please take action – and help all those horses who have nobody but us to speak up for them.