For Immediate Release, Wednesday 20 April 2022

Vigil for Horses at Gosford Racecourse: Anzac Day is to remember the fallen horses, not exploit them

What: Vigil for Horses 
When: Monday 25 April 2022 – 10:30am
Where: Gosford Racecourse NSW – main entrance

Right across the country, the horse racing industry will demonstrate their utter disregard for horses by running races on the very day we should be showing them the utmost consideration and respect. 

For centuries horses have been forced into battle for human wars.
Anzac day is a day of remembrance to pay respect to all those lost at war, and that includes many war horses.

Instead, this Anzac Day, horses will be beaten with a whip, have their tongues tied and be pushed well beyond their limits in the name of gambling profits and entertainment. This is bad enough on any day of the year, but to do so on on Anzac Day reinforces the level of disrespect and disregard the racing industry have, not only for the animals it could not exist without, but for the diggers whose lives relied on these same horses’ ancestors.

Locals from Gosford and surrounds will gather outside the racetrack to hold a peaceful vigil for the fallen war horses and for those who continue to be harmed inside.

The Animal Justice Party Central Coast Regional Group, Sydney Animal Save and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are calling on the public to join them for a peaceful and respectful vigil to remember the fallen horses, and to send a message to the racing industry that this is NOT an acceptable way to treat these beautiful animals who have already given so much.

Quotes attributable to Sarah Ryan – spokesperson for the Animal Justice Party Central Coast Regional Group 

“For thousands of years horses have been forced into human wars. Many of these animals sacrificed their lives. On ANZAC day, we will remember all those who have fallen at war, human and non-human”
 
“Exploiting the descendants of our equine war heroes in the name of entertainment and financial greed is both disrespectful and shameful.”

“The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is opposed to the exploitation and abuse of any animal for “sport” and entertainment. We seek immediate changes in the horse racing industry, including banning whips, tongue ties, and spurs, the introduction of retirement plans for all horses, mandated rehoming, a ban on racehorse slaughter and a transparent birth-to-death register.”

Quotes attributable to Elio Celotto – Campaign Director for Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR)
 
“Last year on Anzac Day a horse was killed at the Devonport racetrack. This is how the racing industry honours the 8 million horses whose lives were taken during the First World War.” 

“True horse lovers will spend Anzac Day paying their respects to the horses who suffered so greatly at war, not harming and exploiting their descendants.”

Facebook event link: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/667781817768705

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses Ground-breaking Documentary ‘One Year On’: https://bit.ly/3uOVBmw