‘It’s racing at all costs.’

Animal rights campaigners have voiced concerns about the scorching heat horses will be competing in during Royal Ascot this week.

The five-day event begins today (Tuesday) and will see equines racing in temperatures up to 30C.

Dene Stansall, Animal Aid’s horse racing consultant, told HuffPost UK: “If horses race in high temperatures, they are going to suffer from heat stress.

“Ascot is the pinnacle of flat racing and because it’s attended by royalty and it’s a big, social event, then it’s racing at all costs at Ascot, so they have to race no matter what - that’s their approach.”

Ascot has said it will be taking “all appropriate measures” to mitigate the heat for the horses, including extra water buckets along the track... READ MORE