There have been accusations that the track clerks have watered it too much, making the ground too soft and endangering horses lives. However, this may have been due to heavy rainfall, and the hope is that better weather will improve the conditions.
Cheltenham officials have said they haven’t heard anything officially from the Rooney owners, and insist the standard of the track is still the best there is. After losing Starchitect in 2017, it looks like they don’t want to risk any more of their horses. This was seemingly confirmed by of their trainers Nigel Twiston-Davies, who confirmed he’d been asked not to enter any more of the horses at Cheltenham for the upcoming meets.
Obviously, this is not a light decision, and perhaps the review of the British Horse Racing Authority confirms their fears. They have recommended 17 improvements to the safety features of the track, including increased visibility of the jumps. It remains to be seen if their investigation helps the horses welfare.
Racing figures defend the track
It’s not all doom and gloom for Cheltenham and many have come out in support of the track. One of the leading owners, Andy Stewart, has been one of the most vociferous. His many winners at Cheltenham include Celestial Halo in the Triumph Hurdle, Big Buck’s a four-time Stayers’ Hurdle Winner, and Pacha Du Polder a two-time Foxhunter Chase winner. He said, “we have had many runners at Cheltenham and I hope we’ll have many more. Simon Claisse is one of the best clerks of the course I’ve ever come across.”
Another owner, Terry Warner, who also has enjoyed much success at Cheltenham said: “I think Cheltenham is first class.” Claiming that they have been racing there for over 40 years, admitting that they have lost the odd horse, but in the past 5 they haven’t had any problems.
Overall, the reaction of the Rooney’s has definitely surprised many in the horse racing world. It is to be expected that some horse will be lost, and Cheltenham is respected as one of the best National Hunt tracks in the world. It remains to be seen if the Rooney’s put out a statement explaining their decision in more detail, but as of yet we remain in the dark, and it would seem they will not be entering any horses at Cheltenham for the foreseeable future.
