Sir, I am sure I am not the only one seriously concerned about the horse casualties on the first two days of the Cheltenham Festival (report, Mar 15); five fatalities is not acceptable at any race meeting. I am a retired veterinary surgeon with experience as a racecourse veterinarian and am all too familiar with the need to euthanise badly injured horses, but five in two days, in good conditions, is horrendous.This is the Sport of Kings being played out in the festival at Cheltenham: what sport allows its participants to be killed so casually? Discussions will take place and these will be detailed; I just hope that the public will be made aware of their findings. Something needs to be done.
Alan G. Shearer
Sandford, South Lanarkshire