Madam,

In response to the question: “Is the entertainment of racing worth the cost in horses’ lives.”

It is mentioned that “some falls result in horses being put to sleep after suffering injuries”.

According to animal protection organisation Animal Aid, about 200 horses die on British racecourses every year.

What is even worse though, is that the British horse racing industry is also responsible for the killing of thousands of horses that have failed to make the grade as racers or when their racing "careers" are over.

Members of the public can help put a stop to this by not attending or even betting on horse racing, so this appalling death-industry comes to an end. 

This is because a percentage of each bet goes to support the industry.

Charities can also play their part, by not using days at the races for fundraising, and choosing alternative methods of raising money that do not contribute to cruelty to animals.

More information on the suffering and slaughter caused by the horse racing industry can be found at animalaid.org.uk/horse-racing

Jane Hargreaves