Tragically, a third horse died at this year’s Cheltenham Festival after collapsing on the way back to the stables after the Gold Cup race.
The horse was considered a legend by fans of the sport after winning three times at Cheltenham.
He was also a ten-time Grade 1 winner, and his death on Friday 13 March 2026 follows the deaths of HMS Seahorse on Wednesday and Hansard on Tuesday.
Envoi Allen was the oldest participant in the race at the age of 12, but unfortunately the vets were unable to save the horse.
Emma Slawinski, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “A third horse death in just four days is heartbreaking news, but no surprise – every year horses are raced to their death at the Cheltenham Festival.
According to the charity League Against Cruel Sports, the death brings the total at the Cheltenham Festival since 2000 to 81 horses.
The race would be Envoi Allen’s last, with his owners, Cheveley Park Stud, previously confirming his retirement.
“Since the turn of the century, the death toll of horses dying at the festival has reached 81, which is simply shocking,” the charity said, adding: “There would be a huge outcry if this death toll occurred in any other sport, so we must start prioritizing horse welfare.”
A third horse has died at the Cheltenham Festival after competing in the Gold Cup.
About the deceased horse – Envoi Allen:
The horse would retire after finishing ninth in the Blue Riband event. It was his eighth performance at the festival.
He won 10 Grade One races during his career, having started out with trainer Gordon Elliott before moving to Henry de Bromhead.
He recently became the first horse to win the Down Royal Champion Chase three times.
Richard Thompson, director of Newmarket-based Cheveley Park Stud, which owns Envoi Allen, said: “We didn’t see it. The vets cleared them all (after the race) and Darragh (O’Keeffe, jockey) said his ears perked up, and then he came up and went over as he came out of the chute.”
“He had just retired, and in a minute or two he’ll be gone again.
Envoi Allen had won three times at the festival, taking the 2019 Champion Bumper, the 2020 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, now known as the Turners, and the 2023 Ryanair Chase, as well as placing a further three times.
“He was such an incredible horse. This wasn’t the ending we wanted, but unfortunately that’s what happened,” Thompson said.
“He’s been an incredible servant, amazing over the years, and this is such a sad way to go and he’s gone off to do what he loves; he just retired at the time. It’s a tough call,” Thompson added.
