The death of Venetia William’s horse, Niceonefrankie, at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday, March 17th, brought the total number of fatalities to five, in the opening three days of the meeting.

The 10-year-old was winner of the December Gold Cup at the track two years ago fell late on in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate.

His death is added to those of The Govaness, Rezorbi and Pont Alexandre, who suffered fatal injuries on the opening day of the meeting, while it was confirmed on Thursday morning that No More Heroes had been put down after damaging a tendon in the RSA Chase on Wednesday.

The deaths are all being investigated by the racecourse and the Jockey Club.

Sophia Dale, communications manager for Jockey Club Racecourses South West, said: “Niceonefrankie sustained an injury in the fifth race of the day and was sadly put down due to the nature of the injuries he sustained and our thoughts are with his connections.”

Jenny Hall, chief veterinary officer for the British Horseracing Authority, said:?“Further to our statement on Tuesday, we would like to express our sincere sadness at the news of the loss today of Niceonefrankie, and to express our sympathies with the stable staff who cared for the horse, its owner and trainer and all connections.

“We make every effort to ensure the highest standard of welfare for all horses in our sport, and set the highest standards for all licensed participants, including trainers and jockeys and racecourses. British racing employs more than 6,000 people to provide first class care and attention for all 14,000 horses in training, who enjoy an exceptionally high quality of life.

Venetia has established a good reputation at a trainer at her stables near to Ross-on-Wye, nurturing winners of many big races - the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and King George VI Chase, the Murphy’s Gold Cup and the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

She is only the second woman to train a Grand National winner, and there were scenes of great celebration at the stables and in Ross when jockey Liam Treadwell rode Mon Mome to victory.