Dear Madam, - Recently, four horses died at one of the most important events in the racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival. The victims were Our Conor, Akdam, Stack The Deck and Raya Star. This is an attrition rate four times higher than that found in racing as a whole, and twice the death rate when only jump racecourses are considered.

For more than a decade, Animal Aid has exposed and protested against the cruelty involved in horse racing. Every year, roughly 200 horses lose their lives on racecourses, and around 1,000 horses from the racing industry are killed in UK slaughterhouses.

With the Grand National approaching fast, we’d like to remind readers that there is an alternative to supporting such events. Our Sanctuary Not Cruelty initiative invites would-be punters – or those who take part in Grand National sweepstakes – to send any money they might have bet on the big race to horse sanctuaries instead. They desperately need your help to look after the equine victims of human cruelty, greed and neglect.

For more information visit www.stopkillinghorses.com or contact Animal Aid for a FREE information pack.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully, Fiona Pereira Campaigner Animal Aid The Old Chapel Bradford Street Tonbridge TN9 1AW