ANIMAL welfare activists have called for a boycott of the Aintree Festival over the number of horse deaths during the annual racing event.

A total of 65 horses have died at the three-day festival over the past 25 years, according to figures from Animal Aid.

Calling for the boycott in the run-up to this year’s event, which starts on Thursday, League Against Cruel Sports chief executive Emma Slawinski said: “The death toll at the Aintree Festival is an indictment of racing’s track record in prioritising animal welfare — horses are being sacrificed for entertainment and for the profits of the gambling companies.

“I fear more horses will be lost during the Aintree Festival this year.”

The league also called for the creation of an independent regulator to replace the existing British Horse Racing Authority, with horse welfare as its main priority, and a ban on the use of whips.

A spokesperson for The Jockey Club, which runs Aintree Racecourse, said: “In Britain we are a nation of sport and animal lovers and horseracing provides the best of both – loved equine superstars competing at the top of their game.

“British racing is the UK’s second largest spectator sport behind football, with millions tuning in at home or going along to one of Britain’s 1,500 individual race meetings.

“As with all elite sports and activities involving horses, there is an element of risk in racing, but the horseracing industry has a clear and moral responsibility for the welfare of the racehorse, one which we take extremely seriously.

“The racing industry is the single biggest investor in equine welfare in Great Britain, with investment going into research, education and cutting-edge veterinary science which benefits all breeds of horses and our athletes, the racehorses which compete year-round, receive the very best care available.”