Owner Carter denies horse cruelty

Venn Ottery was destroyed after suffering an injury at Newbury

Oliver Carter insists his racehorse Venn Ottery was entitled to run at Newbury - as an inquiry into the gelding's death was announced.

The 88-year-old owner vehemently denies being cruel to the animal, who ran against trainer Sue Gardner's wishes.

Horseracing Regulatory Authority officials are examining the events surrounding the death on Saturday.

Carter told the Racing Post: "I do everything I can to make sure our horses are well cared for."

Venn Ottery, who was one of two 200-1 shots in the eight-runner field for the Game Spirit Chase, was put down after fracturing his pelvis in the Grade Two contest.

The 12-year-old horse, whose career highlights included a fifth place in the 2004 Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, was pulled up before the eighth fence by jockey Andrew Glassonbury.

Before the race, current champion trainer Paul Nicholls - who saddled Venn Ottery to his only four career wins during a short spell in 2004 - said it was an "utter disgrace" the horse was running at Newbury.

I know he was a 200-1 chance, but I have seen winners at 200-1 Oliver Carter on Venn Ottery

And afterwards, Devon-based Gardner said she had not wanted the veteran chaser to compete in such a high-quality contest, which was won by Well Chief.

But Carter said: " We are animal lovers and we don't uphold cruelty.

"What happened to Venn Ottery was one of those accidents that happen in racing.

"Everybody knows the risks and he is certainly not the first horse who has had to be put down because of an injury suffered in a race."

Carter is a permit holder, which allows him to train the horses he owns and he has achieved notable successes in racing.

His training achievements include a Whitbread Gold Cup win and four victories in the Horse and Hound Cup, including with horses aged 14, 15 and 16.

"I don't want to be cruel to horses - never. We love our horses, we breed them, we idolise them.

"My following in Devon with all my friends and people is colossal."