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| For Immediate Release, Tuesday 24 March 2020 When Did Horse Racing Become An Essential Service? – Calls For An Immediate Shutdown Of The Horse Racing Industry The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses is calling on the Australian Government to remain consistent with the message of minimizing/preventing non-essential gatherings and step in to immediately suspend horse racing until the Corona Virus threat is over. “It’s simply impossible for racing industry workers to handle racehorses at the track whilst also following the governments social distancing rules.” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “You just have to look at the horses going into the barriers, horses being prepared in the stalls and horses returning to the mounting yard after racing to see that.” “In order to protect these workers, their families and every other Australian they come in contact with, the racing industry needs to cease operating immediately” Mr Celotto said. “Not only has the racing industry repeatedly demonstrated they not care about the horses they profit from, they are also putting the lives of the people on the ground who too make the industry tick over; the strappers, attendants, stewards, grounds persons and jockeys at great risk for the sake of money” Mr Celotto said. Australian sports, including most recently rugby have now been cancelled. “Major sporting events across Australia and the globe have done the right thing by their supporters and participants by suspending their activities. Funerals are being cancelled yet the racing industry continues on. When did horse racing become an essential service?” Mr Celotto said. “Beginning with the Grand National, the British Racing Authority have now cancelled all race meets at least until the beginning of May. Australia should and must follow suit.” CPR is also concerned with a potential spike in problem gambling. “People are going to be doing it very tough over the coming months. The racing industry preys on people’s financial vulnerabilities and desperation. A complete suspension of horse and greyhound racing will help to protect those who are most vulnerable from such pitfalls” he said. CPR has written to every state and territory minister responsible for racing and the Prime Minister calling for an immediate suspension. It has also started a petition directed at all state ministers for racing and the Australian Government calling for the immediate suspension of horse racing. View here. “It’s time the government showed some consistency for the sake of every Australian and immediately suspended all horse racing” said Mr Celotto. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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