6 Unforgettable Moments From The 2014 Cheltenham Festival

5. Injuries To Horses And Jockeys Cast A Shadow Across The Festival The saddest part of this years festival was the deaths of 4 horses, as well as serious injuries to big name jockeys. Festival Top Jockey Ruby Walsh's fall in Friday's first race appeared serious from the moment he fell and struggled to get up. He fell from his mount Abyssial in front of the stands before being hit by another horse, when he got up, he crawled under the barriers before being led to a nearby ambulance, which he was then driven off course in. It was later revealed he had suffered a compound right arm fracture. Daryl Jacob suffered a bizarre fall in the 3rd race on Friday as his horse Port Melon diverted towards the grandstand and charged into the barriers, causing the jockey to fall directly onto the road behind it. The horse appeared to have been spooked by something, and it was again clear that Jacob had suffered severe injuries and was immediately attended to by the on-course officials. Daryl had suffered a broken knee, leg and elbow. Young, up-and coming jockey Bryan Cooper also suffered a complex broken leg on the Wednesday when he fell from Clarcam. His injury was described as "the worst fracture I have ever seen in a lower limb" by the Chief Medical Officer of the Turf Club. There were 4 deaths to horses at the festival, with Our Conor being the most well known. The young, talented hurdler fell at the 3rd fence as the race was run at a furious pace, after a long period of treatment on course, it was announced that he had been humanely euthanised. Akdam and Stack the Deck suffered leg injuries on the Wednesday which the vets again believed serious enough for euthanising. The final race of the festival on the Friday also ended in tragedy when Raya Star fell and fractured his spine and was again humanely put down. There are many reasons that could have caused these injuries and deaths, but it is possible that the fast, drying ground contributed to the faster pace in some races and some horses may not have been able to stay the pace.