HORSE deaths at racecourses reach highest level for six years. This was an example of the headlines that followed the British Horseracing Authority’s publication this week of the figures for 2018, a year that bucked the trend of recent times. The glaring headlines were not, in my opinion, justified.

Don’t get me wrong. Every death of a horse, on the racecourse or otherwise, is a case of sadness for connections. Accidents, at home even more so than on the racecourse, lead to such tragedies and are to be regretted.

Given the dangerous nature of the sport of racing, and National Hunt racing especially, deaths are sadly inevitable.

In recent times, more and more safety measures are put in place to lessen the possibility of such accidents. It is important that these improvements are monitored and tweaked to ensure that the highest standards are maintained. For example, a number of extra safety measures are scheduled to be in place for next month’s Cheltenham Festival, and the BHA will be hoping that they make a difference at this high-profile meeting.

More than 93,000 runners lined up in front of a starter in Britain last year, with 201 reports of horses being fatally injured in the course of competition. In the past 20 years the rate of fatal injuries has largely declined, and the average for the last five years has been the lowest on record.

It must never be forgotten that improved safety measures introduced for horses have the knock on effect of being improved safety measures for jockeys, grooms, owners, trainers and the general public. Safety must underpin everything we do as a sport and an industry. There can be no compromise in this area.

UNSUNG HEROES

The self-effacing David Nagle, who was inducted into the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s Hall of Fame last Saturday along with his wife Diane, made a call on the night that may have been largely overlooked in all the euphoria of the evening.

I will quote the man himself. “Most importantly, I think it needs to be recognised that there are so many people who have done so much for this industry, and many of them are in this room tonight; people who give their time on a voluntary basis, whether for point-to-points, stewarding or in various other roles throughout the country.

“They willingly give their time for the sport they love. They are the unsung heroes who have given so much, for so long, with virtually no thanks or recognition.”

And so say all of us, and well said, David.