ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin has opened up about the harrowing events at Sunday's Cheltenham meeting. The day, which began with high hopes, took a tragic turn as three horses lost their lives during races. This incident has left a lasting impact on Chamberlin and the racing community.

ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin's Cheltenham Struggle and Beyond

Reflecting on the Cheltenham Tragedy

Chamberlin, who joined ITV from Sky where he was the main football presenter, was anchoring the third and final day of the November meeting at Cheltenham. It was a live broadcast that quickly turned into a nightmare. Abuffalosolider, the winner of the three-and-a-half mile handicap chase, collapsed live on TV shortly after crossing the line. Jockey Sean Bowen was in the middle of a post-race interview when the horse suddenly went down, and the owner had to be informed of the sad news.This was followed by the fatal collapses of Bangers And Cash and Napper Tandy during the same meeting. The incidents overshadowed what was otherwise a significant jumps season event. Chamberlin reflected on the day on the Sporting Life Podcast, sharing his thoughts on the reaction and the coverage."It's been a very difficult few days," he said. "We were on such a high on Sunday morning and early on the day and then by 9 pm that night I was hoping the Match of the Day producer might call because I'd have probably taken the job. Because all the accusations coming at me of 'how could you do this' and 'how could ITV Racing do this on the ITN News' is so unfair. It was absolutely nothing to do with us."

The Impact on Racing Presenters

Chamberlin has received a mix of reactions. Some sports presenters have sent him lovely messages about the way he covered the incidents, but he admits he hasn't received as many from within the racing community. He read out a comment from trainer Alan King in his Weekender column describing the coverage as "appalling" and saying the presenters "went on and on" about the fatalities."I found that hard to read," he said. "Of course he is entitled to his opinion and maybe we did go on about it too much. But let me put you in my position, that day, that hour, in the middle of the paddock, and put you in my shoes when after the handicap chase we knew pretty quickly we'd lost those two horses. Around me we've got heartbroken connections, my reporter Alice in floods of tears after what she witnessed out on the track. Cheltenham was dark, it was silent, it was in shock really. My job then suddenly becomes to get the tone right, and that's hard. It was one of the biggest audience-watching Sunday racing for a long time. We'd had two spectacular days, two days that were the best advert for jump racing you could ask for. Then all of a sudden I was completely crestfallen by what had happened. I hope we never see it again."

Continuing the Coverage

Chamberlin admitted he was "going through the motions a little bit" as coverage continued into the day's feature race, the Greatwood Hurdle. "Then of course we lost another horse," he said. "What can you do, do you revisit it? I felt we had to. It was just a horrible, horrible hour of broadcasting."The events at Cheltenham have left a deep mark on Chamberlin and the racing world. It serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by those in the sport. As he looks back on that day, he hopes for a better future where such tragedies do not occur again.