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| For Immediate Release, Tuesday 27 August 2019 BREAKING! DEATHWATCH 2019 REPORT RELEASE Report shows on-track horse deaths would be far worse than they already appear. The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) have just released their 2019 Deathwatch report which demonstrates horses are being killed on Australian racetracks at a rate of at least one every three days, for gambling profits and entertainment. The report covers horse deaths caused by racing over the last ‘racing year’ August 1 2018 – July 31 2019. Read the full report here Key findings of the 2019 report show122 horses were killed on track for a number of reasons most commonly for catastrophic front limb injury (61)On average 1 horse will die on Australian racetracks every 3 days7 horses collapsed and died10 horses died from cardiac causes5 horses died from bleedsThe state with the highest recorded deaths was NSW (51) followed by VIC (31) and QLD (25)54 of the horses that were killed had been raced as a 2-year-old (8 more than last year)10 horses were only 2-years-old when they died on the track17 horses are still listed as ‘active’ on the Racing Australia website at the time of writing, even though some have been dead for almost a yearCPR Communications Director, Kristin Leigh claims the lives taken through injuries sustained from racing would no doubt be much higher. “It’s becoming normal practice now, that if at all possible, horses are being whisked away from the racetrack and killed elsewhere so that they are not recorded as a race day fatality.” She said. “Even worse, when a horse is killed on the track the stewards are sometimes failing to even mention it in their reports. Just two weeks ago John’s Revenge was killed at Coleraine but the stewards only mentioned he sustained an injury. This is just one example and indicates the death toll in Thoroughbred racing would be much higher”. Additionally, deaths caused in training and trials are not required to be recorded (with the exception of deaths in trials in NSW). “The fact is thousands of horses are being injured and pulling up lame from training, trials and races each year and many are never heard from again”. “The industry uses terms such as integrity and transparency to fool the public into believing they have the horses best interests at heart, but what they really care about is hiding the truth as much as possible so that they can continue to make profits from the suffering of others.” A perfect example of the industry hiding the horrors that occur on the racetrack can be seen in a race replay from Morphettville on March 11 this year. The vision shows 13 riders, then suddenly cuts to vision where only 9 riders remain. Some handy industry editing removed vision of what the stewards reported as eight different horses being severely hampered by a collision that resulted from the internal haemorrhage and subsequent death of the ironically named Stellar Collision. View the edited replay from Race 8 here at 0:30 seconds in, and the stewards report here. “The horse racing industry is slowly but surely losing its social license as more people become opposed to the use of animals for entertainment. Our report clearly demonstrates innocent horses are not only being killed but also suffering tremendous trauma in the process for entertainment and gambling profits and that is simply unacceptable.” Kristin said. To read CPR’s 2019 Deathwatch report and to view footage of just some of these deaths visit https://horseracingkills.com/issues/deathwatch/ In memory of the 122 horses killed on Australian racetracks this past ‘racing year’ and the thousands more killed behind the scenes and at slaughterhouses and knackeries for no longer being profitable. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Sunday 8 September 2019 CPR Protest at the ‘Ride Like A Girl’ World Premiere What: Protest at the ‘Ride Like A Girl’ World Premiere When: TODAY Sunday 8 September, 1pm – 3pm Where: Village Cinemas Jam Factory, 500 Chapel Street South Yarra ‘Ride Like A Girl’ is the directorial debut of Rachel Griffith. Her film is centred around jockey Michelle Payne, famous for being the first and to date only female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, a day which has caused the death of six horses over the past six years. The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will have a strong presence the cinema to ensure all attendees know what they are really celebrating is animal abuse. “Ride Like A Girl is a film based on glorifying a woman for excelling in what has been long a male-dominated animal abuse industry.” Said CPR Communications Director Kristin Leigh. “There is nothing to be proud of when women achieve accolades in roles of being cruel and heartless that have historically been reserved for men. The film uses issues of both gender inequality and disability to celebrate and promote an industry that depends on the exploitation, abuse, and suffering of horses.” CPR recently released their annual Deathwatch report exposing that 122 horses have been killed on Australian racetracks in the past 12 months. Read more here. “Ride Like A Girl glorifies an industry that is well known for pushing horses well beyond their limits, forcing them to suffer heart attacks, and severe injuries that lead to the deaths of at least one horse every three days on Australian racetracks.” “The majority of those who manage to survive will be discarded for pet food or human consumption when they are no longer profitable. That is something that people should be ashamed of. Michelle Payne is complicit in this suffering, as is Rachael Griffith for glorifying her and this industry through this film” Ms Leigh added. To make matters worse, Michelle Payne’s 2015 win was on Darren Weir-trained horse Prince of Penzance. “This film is premiering and being celebrated just months after Darren Weir has been banned from racing for 4 years for abusing horses with electric shock devices; an action jockeys must also be complicit in for the jiggers to have the desired effect.” CPR is calling for an investigation into Michelle Payne’s 2015 Melbourne Cup win. “If Weir was jigging Prince of Penzance, Michelle Payne would too have been complicit in the abuse. It is highly unlikely that Michelle Payne was not at the very least aware of the illegal cruelty being inflicted on other Weir-trained horses.” Ms Leigh said. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Sunday 8 September 2019 Horse lovers disrupt the ‘Ride Like A Girl’ World Premiere What: Horse lovers disrupt the ‘Ride Like A Girl’ World Premiere Where: Village Cinemas Jam Factory, 500 Chapel Street South Yarra Horse lovers protested against the racing industry at the Ride Like A Girl world premiere. Activists went inside and disrupted the screening and speeches by director Rachael Griffith and jockey Michelle Payne. Women receiving accolades for achieving positions historically reserved for men in an animal abuse industry is not something to celebrate. Horse Racing Kills. View the protest here. “Ride Like A Girl is a film based on glorifying a woman for excelling in what has been long a male-dominated animal abuse industry.” Said CPR Communications Director Kristin Leigh. “There is nothing to be proud of when women achieve accolades in roles of being cruel and heartless that have historically been reserved for men. The film uses issues of both gender inequality and disability to celebrate and promote an industry that depends on the exploitation, abuse, and suffering of horses.” CPR recently released their annual Deathwatch report exposing that 122 horses have been killed on Australian racetracks in the past 12 months. Read more here. “Ride Like A Girl glorifies an industry that is well known for pushing horses well beyond their limits, forcing them to suffer heart attacks, and severe injuries that lead to the deaths of at least one horse every three days on Australian racetracks.” “The majority of those who manage to survive will be discarded for pet food or human consumption when they are no longer profitable. That is something that people should be ashamed of. Michelle Payne is complicit in this suffering, as is Rachael Griffith for glorifying her and this industry through this film” Ms Leigh added. To make matters worse, Michelle Payne’s 2015 win was on Darren Weir-trained horse Prince of Penzance. “This film is premiering and being celebrated just months after Darren Weir has been banned from racing for 4 years for abusing horses with electric shock devices; an action jockeys must also be complicit in for the jiggers to have the desired effect.” CPR is calling for an investigation into Michelle Payne’s 2015 Melbourne Cup win. “If Weir was jigging Prince of Penzance, Michelle Payne would too have been complicit in the abuse. It is highly unlikely that Michelle Payne was not at the very least aware of the illegal cruelty being inflicted on other Weir-trained horses.” Ms Leigh said. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Monday 9 September 2019 Racing Minister Insults Horse Lovers Martin Pakula would rather insult and criticise protestors with legitimate concerns rather than doing his job as racing minister and listen to their grievances. In a tweet, the racing minister referred to the protestors as “idiots”. https://twitter.com/MartinPakulaMP/status/1170641121979973632 “Perhaps the racing minister could consider who the real idiot is here. With growing awareness of the cruelty horses are subjected to in horse racing, Pakula continues to bury his head in the sand and ignore the escalating public concern.” Said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Communications Director Kristin Leigh. With the Spring Racing Carnival just around the corner, CPR is calling for a meeting with the Victorian Minister for Racing to discuss what he will do if another horse is killed in the Melbourne Cup this year. “A 2019 Cup death will mean 7 horses have been floated out of Flemington dead on Melbourne Cup Day in the past 7 years, that we know of” said Ms Leigh. “The day is becoming widely regarded as a national disgrace, with #NupToTheCup last year trending all day on Twitter”. Yesterday, horse lovers protested outside the ‘Ride Like A Girl’ premiere at South Yarra’s Jam Factory. A few small groups also successfully disrupted both the film and the speeches of jockey Michelle Payne and director Rachael Griffith, chanting Horse Racing Kills and other slogans that expose the cruel reality of horse racing. “People are sick of seeing horses suffering and being killed for gambling profits and entertainment. Our movement is growing as people are becoming more and more passionate about this issue. Disruptions will continue” she said. ENDS |
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| For Immediate Release, Saturday 21 September 2019 Animal Activists Applaud Taylor Swift Decision Today it was announced by the Victoria Racing Club that Taylor Swift has cancelled her controversial performance at the Melbourne Cup. “We are absolutely delighted with the news” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Communications Director Kristin Leigh. “The pressure on Taylor Swift to cancel her performance was significant. Her fans did not want to see her supporting animal abuse. Whilst the reason being used by the racing industry is a scheduling mix up, it appears to us that she has responded to those calls.” Fans took to Twitter last week, in the wake of the announcement of Taylor Swift’s performance at the Melbourne Cup, calling on her to please change her mind and say #NupToTheCup. They raised their valid concerns for the horses used by this industry stating statistics on the high number of horse deaths on track, including the six horses who have died at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day over the past six years, and the routine slaughter of thousands of racehorses every year. A petition started by the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses calling on the artist to say #NupToTheCup has attracted well over 6,000 signatures. “Taylor would certainly be much more aware of the cruel reality of horse racing than she was a few weeks ago. We are confident she has made this decision based on her love for animals and are very grateful to her for her cancellation.” she said. “We will be keeping a close eye out for whether another artist is announced to perform at the day which is widely becoming known as a national disgrace. No one should be supporting this event which depends on the abuse and suffering of horses”. Animal lovers will again be gathering opposite Flemington Racecourse at their fun, cruelty-free Cup Day alternative Fashuns On The Field. Details here. “We welcome and encourage all to come along and see that you can still have a great time without supporting animal cruelty. Perhaps Taylor Swift could come along and perform too.” Kristin added. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Wednesday 2 October 2019 Activists call on Kelly Rowland to #PullASwifty Like Taylor Swift, Kelly Rowland appears to be completely unaware of the shocking abuse and deaths horses suffer in the racing industry. “We need to inform Kelly Rowland of the cruelty she will be endorsing and ask her to #PullASwifty” said Kristin Leigh, Communications Director for the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR). It was recently announced the megastar has agreed to perform at Australia’s deadliest racetrack, Royal Randwick, as part of ‘The Everest’. “The Everest has been specifically designed to lure the younger generation who are turning their back on horse racing cruelty to the track and towards gambling habits. The booking of Kelly Rowland is also specifically designed to do the same thing” Ms Leigh said. “More horses were killed at Royal Randwick than any other track in Australia last year.” Ms Leigh said. “It is Ocean’s Faith who sticks in my memory most. At just two years old, she could not keep up but was whipped repeatedly toward the finish line where she finally collapsed and died.” “Kelly Rowland is a powerful woman, a fierce feminist, a symbol of strength and a dedicated philathropist for many social justice causes. She encourages equality and those who have the ability to speak up for others in need to to do so, whilst also encouraging self-empowerment. We now need to speak up to her to ensure she knows her support of The Everest promotes the oppression, suffering and murder of thousands of vulnerable horses every year”. “Taylor Swift backed out of the Melbourne Cup once fans made her aware of the cruelty she was endorsing. We like to think Kelly Rowland will stand up and do the same”. CPR are calling on all fans and animal lovers to head over to @KellyRowland on Twitter and politely ask her to #PullASwifty and also to sign their petition here. Some things Kelly may not know: 1) Last year our Deathwatch report exposed more horses were killed at Royal Randwick than any other track in Australia – read here. 2) The Everest offers $14 million in prize money which helps ensure horses will be pushed so hard that 90% will bleed from the lungs as studies have shown. With the stakes so high, they will be beaten hard with the whip and pushed well beyond their limits. 3) 1 horse is killed on Australian racetracks every 3 days (that we know of – the real numbers would be much higher) 4) When no longer wanted, thousands of horses are sent to one of our thirty-three knackeries to be turned into dog food, or one of two slaughterhouses to be killed for human consumption where they endure horrific deaths. These slaughterhouses depend on a steady supply of young horse flesh from the racing industry. 5) When in training, the life of a horse used for racing is one of isolation and confinement. They cannot socialise and express their natural behaviours. They cannot graze. They are fed a concentrated diet that leads to 90% of horses suffering painful stomach ulcers. Painful instruments of domination and control are used on them including bits, whips, spurs, tongue-ties and jiggers (electric shock devices). 6) Approximately 45% of the horses bred for racing never make it to the track and most vanish without a trace. 6) Mares used for breeding the next big winner are tied down to be mated, often against their will, by a stallion who is trucked around the country ‘servicing’ them. Her foals are taken from her early for training or to be killed if they do not show the desired attributes. Read more here. “The systemic abuse and exploitation horses suffer in the racing industry are not the kind of practices someone who supports justice and equality should be endorsing” Ms Leigh said. “Kelly Rowland, please #PullASwifty and cancel your gig at The Everest!”. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Friday 23 August 2019 Deaths at Ballarat Highly Likely – CPR Rally to End Jumps Racing What: Rally to End Jumps Racing When: Sunday 25 August, 12pm – 2pm Where: Ballarat Turf Club, 240 Kennedy’s Road, Miners Rest Vic A grueling day of six jumps races is planned for Ballarat’s Grand National Steeplechase Day. Going by jumps statistics, it is predicted that at least two horse will be killed. “Six horses, that we know of, have already been killed in the 2019 jumps racing season” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Communications Director Kristin Leigh. “Rather than be surprised by a death this weekend, we will be surprised if there is not one. That is how dangerous this so-called “sport” is for the horses.” “Last year at this very event we saw Sleep’n Pete literally fall over the second last jump, the green screen go up and his lifeless body carted away. Meanwhile, spectators cheered the survivors over the finish line and the event went on as per usual. His life was of zero regard to the industry and the small minority who continue to support it.” Sleep’n Pete’s death and the suffering other horses endured that day can be viewed here https://bit.ly/2MwReKu “It is simply unconscionable that a government allows a form of gambling and entertainment to continue knowing it is guaranteed many horses will be killed as a result” she said. Jumps racing has taken the lives of 96 horses to horrific on-track injuries since 2007 “What kind of form of entertainment has an acceptable death toll?” Kristin asks. “Jumps races are 19 times more dangerous than flat racing. It’s illegal in New South Wales under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.” “The risks are so high and the tracks so grueling that last year’s starters had a 12% chance of failing to even finish the course. Even worse, in the 2018 jumps season the odds of a horse being killed on track was 1:22” she said. Last month Super Haze leg was literally hanging off in a Warrnambool jumps race. It took them almost 10 minutes to put him out of his misery. And just last weekend John’s Revenge hit the deck at Coleraine and was killed. Presumably, in an attempt to hide his death, stewards failed to mention him being killed in their reports. Stewards Report – Coleraine 18 August, Race 1 Johns Revenge Made a faulty jump and fell at the second last obstacle. Johns Revenge sustained a serious racing injury. This incident will be referred to the Equine Welfare and Veterinary Department and Jumps Review Panel. Rider P Hamblin was examined by the club doctor and passed fit to fulfil his remaining rides. “We see this happen often, stewards failing to mention the death of horses in their reports. Or horses being taken away from the track with severe injuries and killed elsewhere, their deaths, therefore, are not required to be recorded.” Stewards Report – Warrnambool 1 May, Race 4 Blues Breaker (NZ) Made a faulty jump at the final obstacle and fell. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have injured its left shoulder. The gelding was transferred to South West Equine Veterinary Group for further investigation and treatment. Trainer Symon Wilde was notified that prior to racing again he must be in receipt of a veterinary certificate of soundness. The incident will be referred to the Jumps Review Panel. “Knowing this, there is no doubt the death toll from both jumps and flat races is much higher than we can report on”. “We will demonstrate on behalf of this years victims of jumps racing so far (that we know of) – Monarch Chimes, Blues Breaker, Big Bad Baz, Super Haze, Hero’s Honor, John’s Revenge and also for Sleep’n Pete who was killed right in front of us here in Ballarat at this event last year.” “Horses having their legs smashed, necks broken and tendons ruptured for any reason including human greed and entertainment is unacceptable” she said. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Wednesday 5 May 2021 Horrific Fall Today at Warrnambool – Fulmineus killed As predicted, a horse has already taken a horror fall and been killed at the May Warrnambool Carnival, which is only half way through. 11-year-old Fulmineus fell nearing the end of the gruelling 3450m steeplechase today, a green screen was erected, and his body taken away. Watch the edited video here. Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) witnessed and recorded the fall. “It is an absolute disgrace that jumps racing continues in both Victoria and South Australia” said CPR Campaign Director, Elio Celotto. Unedited clips here for your use, credit to Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses. “With the death of Fulmineus, jumps racing has now killed at least 29 horses at this track alone since 2006, many of whom died in the May Carnival” said CPR Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “We still have the gruelling 5.5km Grand Annual Steeplechase to come tomorrow, where horses will be forced to jump 33 obstacles – the greatest number of obstacles for any horse race in the world” Mr Celotto said. Tomorrow CPR will join forces with the Animal Justice Party (AJP) Victoria to take a strong stand against the cruelest carnival on the racing calendar. CPR’s 2020 Deatchwatch Report found Warrnambool to be the most deadly racetrack in Australia, taking five lives across its jumps and flat races that year alone. Full report available here. Many horses who seemingly survive are never heard from again, with 40% of horses used in jumps races not returning to racing the following year. “Every year it is absolute mayhen, with horses guaranteed to fall and be injured for gambling profits and entertainment. Like the Melbourne Cup, a public holiday is declared for the region’s Warrnambool Cup, a blatant and institutionalised celebration of animal abuse” he said. CPR and the AJP unite in asking the people of Warrnambool and surrounds to join them in saying nup to jumps racing, and nup to the Warrnambool Cup. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com Key facts164 horses have been reported to be killed in jumps races since 2000. These are just the horses we learn of. The real figures would be much higher. At least 29 horses have been killed in jumps races at the Warrnambool track since 2006In 2018, Darren Weir trained gelding Now and Zen was removed from the racetrack after falling at the May Carnival to be killed behind the scenes, therefore his death avoided being reported. This is becoming increasingly common as public scrutiny of jumps races and horse racing in general has increased – watch our short clip on this here. |
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| For Immediate Release, Monday 3 May 2021 Protest Against Racing’s Cruelest Carnival at Australia’s most deadly track What: Protest at the Warrnambool May Carnival When: Thursday 6 May 2021 – 12pm Where: Warrnambool Racing Club, Main Entrance – Grafton Road, Warrnambool, Vic The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will join forces with the Animal Justice Party (AJP) Victoria to take a strong stand against the cruelest carnival on the racing calendar. AJP MP for Western Victoria, Andy Meddick, has long been calling for a ban on jumps racing. “It is deeply disappointing and distressing to me that the home of jumps racing is in my own electorate. The Warrnambool racecourse is the deadliest track in the country. It is nothing for our state to be proud of” said Mr Meddick. CPR’s 2020 Deatchwatch Report found Warrnambool to be the most deadly racetrack in Australia, taking five lives across its jumps and flat races that year alone. Full report available here. “Jumps racing is a disgrace and a stain on so-called progressive Victoria. Every year, horses continue to pay the ultimate price with their life for the entertainment of a dwindling few” Mr Meddick said. “Instead of being known as the home of cruelty for hosting high profile jumps races, Warrnambool could be a booming jobs centre in equine welfare and rehabilitation which is good for animals, local jobseekers and the economy.” The May Carnival at the ‘Bool will host six cruel jumps races across its three days, including the gruelling Grand Annual Steeplechase. “Jumps racing has killed at least 28 horses at this track alone since 2006, many of whom died in the May Carnival” said CPR Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “In the gruelling 5.5km Grand Annual Steeplechase, horses will be forced to jump 33 obstacles – the greatest number of obstacles for any horse race in the world” Mr Celotto said. Last year’s carnival victim was Sir Isaac Newton, however, many horses who seemingly survive are never heard from again, with 40% of horses used in jumps races not returning to racing the following year. “Every year it is absolute mayhen, with horses guaranteed to fall and be injured for gambling profits and entertainment. Like the Melbourne Cup, a public holiday is declared for the region’s Warrnambool Cup, a blatant and institutionalised celebration of animal abuse” he said. CPR and the AJP unite in asking the people of Warrnambool and surrounds to join them in saying nup to jumps racing, and nup to the Warrnambool Cup. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com Key facts163 horses have been reported to be killed in jumps races since 2000. These are just the horses we learn of. The real figures would be much higher. At least 28 horses have been killed in jumps races at the Warrnambool track since 2006In 2018, Darren Weir trained gelding Now and Zen was removed from the racetrack after falling at the May Carnival to be killed behind the scenes, therefore his death avoided being reported. This is becoming increasingly common as public scrutiny of jumps races and horse racing in general has increased – watch our short clip on this here. |
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| For Immediate Release, Wednesday 28 April 2021 Melbourne Cup deaths are a reflection of a much greater issue Anthony Van Dyck is 1 in 120 per year As Racing Victoria releases stage one of its fatality report, focused on the 2020 Melbourne Cup death of Anthony Van Dyck, it is once again made apparent that their concern lays in public perception not concern for its horses. The introduction for new screening processes will only be for horses seeking to compete in the Spring Carnival, and only Melbourne Cup running horses will be required to undergo CT scans prior to the race. “Why do these new safety measures only apply to horses competing in the spring carnival and in particular the Melbourne Cup?” asks Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “One horse is killed on Australain racetracks every three days. The measures Racing Victoria put in place to address the ongoing deaths at the Melbourne Cup, must be put in place for all horses, on all days, at all racetracks”. “Furthermore they would do away with the whips spurs and tongue ties that are designed to push a horse to beyond their physical limits” he said. “Anything less is further evidence that it is the industry’s image that is of sole concern here, as they grapple to maintain their social license.” But CT scans will not be enough to address deaths on the racetrack. “Racing Victoria and the Victorian government have funded studies into the leading cause of fatal catastrohic injuries to find bone fatigue as the leading cause, with Prof. Chris Whitton from the University of Melbourne stating this can only be addressed by racing horses less often and allowing them to take significantly longer spelling periods. Yet, the industry have no rules as to how often a horse can be raced and how long their rest periods must be”. More on that here. “Trainers can race a horse as often and as hard as they like, meaning the industry is knowingly placing horses at risk of death.” CPR is calling on all state juristrictions to implement the screening measures set for the Melbourne Cup runners to be exteneded to all horses, at all racetracks, along with limits on how often a horse can be raced and how long they must be spelled, as guided by the findings of the equine orthopedaedic research team at the University of Melbourne. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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| For Immediate Release, Thursday 15 April 2021 Dressed to Impress Protesters Call For An End to Horse Racing At The Championships What: Protest against Horse Racing When: Saturday 17 April – 10:30am – 1pm Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse Peaceful protestors dressed to impress will converge at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse this weekend to oppose the Championships, the biggest race horsing event in the NSW autumn racing calendar. The event’s keynote speaker is Upper House MP for the Animal Justice Party, Mark Pearson, who in February introduced a bill to NSW Parliament that could ban the slaughter of racehorses, as well as the use of whips, tongue-ties, and spurs. “This depraved industry literally profits from the abuse and exploitation of its non-consenting victims, and we’re here to stand opposed to that,” Mr Pearson said ahead of the event. The protest is a joint event hosted by Animal Liberation, Sydney Animal Save, Animal Justice Party NSW, and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, which recently published its 2020 report, Deathwatch. “In the 2019-2020 horse racing year, 116 horses died on Australian racetracks – that’s one horse every three days,” said spokesman for the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, Elio Celotto. “The tragic irony is that these horses are revered as champions and money-makers while being whipped, kicked, and constricted, only to be discarded as ‘wastage’ when no longer profitable and likely to be killed for pet food,” Mr Celotto said. The issue of ‘wastage’ is a key concern of horse racing protestors, and will be a topic addressed by speaker Mark Pearson at the event. Mr Pearson will also speak about his new bill, which if passed, would outlaw the slaughter of racehorses, ensure their mandatory rehoming, establish birth-to-death tracking, and ban whips, spurs, and tongue-ties. “My aim with this bill is to overhaul the industry, because that’s what needs to happen,” Mr Pearson said. “The so-called Sport of Kings is rife with unacceptably cruelty, and until the day comes when the industry loses its social license completely, the horses trapped within the industry need to be protected against the worst of its practices.” Facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/1FyQdZgZv CPR’s Ground-breaking Documentary ‘One Year On’: https://bit.ly/3uOVBmw |
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| For Immediate Release, Saturday 3 April 2021 The Oakbank Carnival is no more – activists celebrate outside the gates What: Activists celebrate the end of the Oakbank Carnival When: Saturday 3 April 11am – 3pm Where: Oakbank Racecourse – Shillabeer Road entrance The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) and Animal Liberation South Australia (ALSA) supporters will be in attendance this Saturday at Oakbank but this time not just to demonstrate but to alsocelebrate. At midday, the demonstration will turn to celebration as bubbly (alcohol free) and cakes will be enjoyed at Oakbank. The only fun being had at Oakbank will be outside the fence. “It will be a very different type of demonstration this Saturday as we take the opportunity to celebrate a small but important victory” said Elio Celotto, Campaign Director for CPR “We’re excited that the Oakbank Carnival has finally been withdrawn from the South Australian Easter celebrations and that’s thanks to the people who once attended the carnival choosing to no longer support animal cruelty. That should send a strong message to South Australian Thoroughbred Racing that cruelty to animals will no longer be tolerated.” “Instead of propping up a sport that is not supported by the general public, it should be using that money to fund a retirement plan for racehorses who are likely to end up at the knackery or slaughterhouse.” For the last 12 years, both groups have attended the Oakbank Carnival calling for it to end, due to the inherent danger of jumps racing for the horses. In that time, at least six horses have been killed at the Oakbank Carnival, with another killed whilst being trialled for the event. Despite the great news that the Oakbank Carnival is no more, jumps racing continues in SA -for the moment. CPR and ALSA will continue to campaign for a ban of a sport and draw attention to a culture in horseracing that treats horses like disposable objects. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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