NATIONAL animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports says “one death is one too many” ahead of the Grand National Festival — at which 63 horses have died in the past 23 years.

The death toll includes 16 horses who died during the running of the notorious Grand National race itself. Last year Hill Sixteen was destroyed after suffering a broken neck at the first fence.

Emma Judd, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The shocking number of deaths at the Grand National Festival begs the question as to whether the current horse racing authorities have their house in order when it comes to safety of horses and their jockeys.

“A new independent regulatory body with horse welfare as its number one priority needs to be created.

“Horses are being sacrificed for people’s entertainment and gambling, and one death is one too many.”

The League is also campaigning for the use of the whip to be banned in horse racing, because it causes pain and pushes tired horses beyond their limits.