Melbourne Cup: Activists want to stop race halting two nations

Jockey Mark Zahra rides Gold Trip to win the 2022 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.
Photograph: photo sport

In the past, it was the race that stopped two countries; Now there are differences of opinion on whether the race should be stopped due to animal cruelty.

Tuesday marked 164th running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

a report A report from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses shows that the number of race day deaths across the industry last year was 151 horses. Causes of death included heart attack, severe head trauma, broken or shattered limbs, internal bleeding and severe tears to tendons.

In CPR claims in New Zealand, 20 horses died in the year to the end of July following catastrophic injuries from fatal incidents on the racetrack or euthanasia.

Emma Brodie, campaign manager at Save Animals from Exploitation (SAFE), said: Checkpoint While many people are eagerly waiting for the cup because of its charm and because of its potential to make money from bookmakers, animal activists want it and all other horse racing to be banned.

“Behind the scenes, horses are subjected to profound physical and mental stress, often with tragic consequences. One hundred and fifty-one horses died in the last racing season in Australia, which equates to one death every 2.4 days.”

“But actually these figures are quite conservative because not all deaths are recorded, including those killed during track work, training and trials, those killed before the race is even named, those killed during the race and those ejected.” is no longer commercially viable.

“So we don’t actually have a full picture of the scale of suffering in this sector.”

He said whipping any animal other than horse racing would be grounds for prosecution.

“Ultimately, I think this is an activity that should be left in our history books.”

A report published by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing earlier this year estimated the industry’s annual economic value at $1.3 billion.

“But it is also very important to consider the costs and wider implications of racing,” Brodie said.

“You know, it’s the horses that pay the ultimate price with their lives for a brief moment of entertainment. But it also contributes to the detriment of gambling here in New Zealand and Australia. In fact, Domestic violence rates are increasing “There are countless other ways to achieve economic growth on Melbourne Cup day that do not come at such significant cost to human and animal life.”

Brodie wasn’t sure how long it would take to step away from racing and said public opinion had already turned against the sport.

“Public support for racing in general has declined steadily over the last few years. Just last year in Australia, a report 62 per cent of Australians aged 18 to 34 said they had low to no interest… ratings are declining as well as corporate sponsorships and I think that reflects the fact that people’s values ​​and expectations are evolving. “People expect more when it comes to animal welfare.”

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief operating officer Darin Balcomb said thoroughbred horse racing remained a popular pastime and the sector supported almost 9,500 jobs last year.

He said the racing industry in New Zealand was known worldwide for its exceptional quality and superior safety standards.

Balcomb said they were committed to continuous improvement and recent statistics confirm New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world for horse welfare in thoroughbred racing.

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