Would Best Mate really have ‘ enjoyed’ racing?

YES THE allegation that racehorse Best Mate was ‘killed’ by the sport (Letters) is insensitive. Thousands of horses that don’t make the grade in racing are sold to loving homes, where they enjoy a pampered existence at the hands of doting owners. They go on to have happy careers in other disciplines, such as show jumping or three- day eventing. We’ll never know the underlying cause of Best Mate’s heart attack because the horse’s owners rejected an autopsy. But Best Mate died doing what he loved and what he was magnificent at: galloping and jumping. His racing performances were awesome examples of a horse motivated by pure instinct. To suggest that racing involves abusing horses is unfair, particularly to trainer Henrietta Knight whose concern and affection for her horses is a pleasure to behold.

JESSICA MILLER,

Sturminster Newton, Dorset. NO THE death of steeplechaser Best Mate caused great sadness and evoked a lot of sympathy for his owners and trainer. We are asked to believe he died ‘ doing what he enjoyed most’. Years ago I assisted my farming parents in caring for hunters belonging to the local fox-hunting fraternity. We contained them easily using small moveable fences. They did not want to jump as their lower legs, where they have very little muscle, makes them vulnerable to injury when landing with at least 150lb on their backs. Hundreds of them are injured and put down each year on racetracks (not including the foxhunters) so Best Mate would not have been alone that week. I find it hard to understand how their owners, who profess to love these wonderful animals, can enter them in such hazardous and dangerous events. Is it glory, financial reward or what?

Mr R. A. LANE,

Stonehall Common, Worcs.