For Immediate Release, Monday 6 April 2020 Racing industry ignores Stage 3 COVID-19 rules yet again putting employees and the wider public in danger The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) has been handed undercover footage of the races held today at Caulfield Racecourse showing flagrant breaches of the current stage 3 rules. See the video here. While the rest of Australia is playing its part to get through what is probably the most serious crisis in 100 years, the racing industry continues with business as usual. CPR Campaign Director, Elio Celotto had this to say. “We’ve been monitoring the races for the last 2 weeks and have seen the racing industry behave like there’s no problem despite the latest level 3 restrictions that have been put in place.” Further footage from previous race meets can be viewed here. “Today we saw just about every employee visible on screen break the current rule of social distancing.” “If it was happening in a park or on the side of the road the police could fine you, but yet again the racing industry receives special dispensation from laws that every other Australian must abide by. Being a non-essential service, horse racing should not be taking place at all.” “Not only are they putting themselves at risk, but their families and every other person they come into contact with. The government must now act and immediately suspend horse racing if they are serious about putting an end to COVID-19.” “It’s just not acceptable seeing jockeys, strappers and barrier attendants having no regard for the Stage 3 rules and putting the rest of the community at serious risk. It is simply not possible to run horse racing and maintain social distancing as the industry would have us believe” Mr Celotto said. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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 |
For Immediate Release, Friday 13 March 2020 Even All-Stars Aren’t Safe From Cruelty and Slaughter What: Protest at the All-Star Mile When: Saturday 14 March 2020, 11:30am onwards Where: Caulfield Racecourse Main Entrance, Station Street, Caulfield East Vic This Saturday the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will be taking a strong stand for horses used by the racing industry and educating attendees that entertainment is no excuse for cruelty. “The racing industry has been exposed for the routine slaughter of thousands of horses every year, something they have long blatantly lied to the public about” said CPR Communications Director Kristin Leigh. “Here they are spruiking $5 million in prize money when they cannot even ensure the well being of the very horses they profit from”. “The All-Star Mile will see horses beaten over the finish line where 90% will bleed from the lungs. Horses will almost certainly be injured and perhaps even killed. Many of the horses you see at this event will end up at the slaughterhouse. Even being a star horse doesn’t keep you safe from that.” Ms Leigh said. The recent findings from the government ‘Inquiry into animal cruelty in the management of retired thoroughbred and standardbred horses’ in Queensland revealed damning evidence, further making the horrific treatment of horses used by the racing industry undeniable. Read CPR’s summary on the report here. From the report : “The Final Race brutally educated the public that, on a large scale, retired racing horses are being treated as disposable commodities.” Terry Martin SC The All-Star Mile is yet another attempt by Racing Victoria to lure more people toward the racetrack at a time when horse racing has been proven to be plagued with cruelty and corruption. “The industry must be called out for their absolutely unacceptable treatment of these horses and attendees must be called out for continuing to support this industry. They can no longer claim they do not know what goes on. We will ensure all racegoers are reminded of the reality of what they are supporting.” Ms Leigh said. “Ever-growing prize money is great news for the jockeys, trainers, and connections but terrible news for the horses” said Ms Leigh. “We are seeing horses die on track on average every three days. If these victims were human fatalities, this so-called ‘sport’ would be banned outright, not celebrated”. “We want racegoers attending the All-Star Mile and other events to ask themselves why they continue to support a corrupt and cruel industry.” ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Thursday 20 February 2020 More emaciated racehorses discovered near Toowoomba Whilst eight surviving horses from a property near Toowoomba have been left in the hands of the man who allowed over thirty horses to starve to death on his property, another fifteen (possibly 16) emaciated horses have been discovered just down the road in Glenvale. At least fourteen have been confirmed to be racehorses. Both the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) and the Australian Equine Unification Scheme (AEUS) have informed racing bodies and the RSPCA of the urgent situation and are yet to see any action taken to protect them from the same fate. “Time after time we see this multi-billion dollar industry fail the very individuals it profits from” said CPR Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “The industry is claiming to the public they are making urgent changes to address systemic neglect and slaughter, and meanwhile horses continue to be dumped at saleyards, trucked to slaughterhouses, or left to waste away in paddocks” Mr Celotto said. Of the fourteen identified racehorses at the Euston Road property suffering malnutrition, many are still listed as ‘Active’ with Racing Australia. One unnamed thoroughbred at the property was born as recently as December 2018. “We are requesting urgent action be taken to protect these horses. As we have seen at another property nearby where 30+ horses were found deceased and a further 8 lives hang in the balance, action must be immediate” said Mr Celotto. This discovery comes just days after the Martin inquiry has released damning findings of both Racing QLD and the horse racing industry overall. Read here. Images of some of the horses at Glenvale QLD can be viewed here. A report listing the names of all horses identified at the property can be provided on request. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Wednesday 29 January 2020 Gerry Harvey Bred Horse Found Among The Dead At Toowoomba Bred in 2001 by billionaire entrepreneur Gerry Harvey of Harvey Norman success, Derrycarna is among the thirty plus horses whose bodies remain rotting at the property in Toowoomba. Today, CPR investigators confirmed the mare to be yet another registered racehorse, bringing the running tally of known racehorses to have starved to death at the property to six. Background here. Used by Harvey for breeding, Derrycarna foaled six lives over seven years before being placed into the hands of Mr R Lynch. Here she was used to breed two more foals before eventually ending up and the haunting Toowoomba property and succumbing to her horrific fate. One of Derrycarna’s foals, bred by Gerry Harvey, earned almost $1.8 million, mostly after being exported to Hong Kong. “Even producing a winning horse of almost $2 million in prizemoney and being bred by one of Australia’s richest men, currently worth $1.6 BILLION does not protect you from being left to starve to death in a paddock” said Elio Celotto, Campaign Director for the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR). “Gerry Harvey is said to own over 600 thoroughbreds himself, whilst irresponsibly continuing to breed and sell more, knowing full well these horses will mostly end up at killed at the slaughterhouse or left to slowly suffer and die somewhere” Mr Celotto said. “The endless cycle of breeding, racing and then discarding innocent animals without any accountability needs to come to an end.” “The multi billion dollar racing industry that makes its money of the back of the thoroughbred, at the very least must provide every single racehorse with a retirement plan -whatever the cost.” ENDS More images available on request. For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Thursday 23 January 2020 ‘Active’ Racehorse among corpses at Toowoomba property Microchips show at least 5 racehorses among the 30+ corpses of horses who have starved to death at a property near Toowoomba. 8 horses remain at property, in a serious condition, including ex-racehorse ‘Flagflamenco’ Despite public outrage and almost 2000 emails to the Minister of Agriculture, there still appears to be very little action from Biosecurity Queensland to protect the remaining 8 horses at a property near Toowoomba, where over 30 horses have already starved to death. Among the deceased horses are ex-racehorses Onya Sonya – still listed as ‘active’ by Racing Australia, Miss Voli & Sarah’s Joy listed as ‘retired’, and Oorawan & Aah who are both listed as deceased as of the 20th January 2020. Flagflamenco is one of the severely emaciated horses whom neighbours and the public are trying to save from the same fate. She is also still listed as active by Racing Australia. Since the horses were discovered almost 2 weeks ago, concerned neighbours have been doing their best to supplement the small amount of low quality food that has been given to the horses by their carer only once per day. “Kind neighbours have been giving the horses small amounts of extra food over the last week or so, as they have been monitoring the feeding routine by the owner, who has only been attending once per day. The food being supplied by the owner has been low quality, wet straw. The action by these neighbours has meant that no further horses have died” said Chay Neal, Executive Director at Animal Liberation Queensland. “Neighbours had been providing high quality horse feed until they were instructed by Biosecurity Queensland on Monday to stop feeding them. We are extremely concerned about the fate of the remaining horses and have questions regarding the feeding regime and monitoring by the Department.” “Waiting for more horses to die to take action and prosecute the owner is gross negligence by the Department. “We reiterate our previous calls for Mark Furtner, Minister of Agriculture, to instruct Biosecurity Queensland to prosecute the owner, seize ownership of these horses, and prevent any further suffering.” Campaign Director from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR), Elio Celotto added of the ex-racehorses “This is one of many horrific examples of what happens to horses once they are no longer wanted by the racing industry. Their outcomes are most commonly this or the slaughterhouse. Yet breeders continue to breed and buyers continue to buy, with no regards as to where these magnificent individuals will end up.” “This multi billion dollar industry is openly allowing those only bred into the world because of them, to starve to death. It is abhorrent” Mr Celotto said. High res photos and videos – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/185yQOoHBCJa_JLXP8RspqN26CHckMV08?usp=sharing ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Wednesday 8 January 2020 Animal Rights Advocates Take Aim At Magic Millions! What: Protest Against the Magic Millions When: Saturday 11 January 2020 Media are invited to attend for interviews and filming from 11:30am onwards. Where: Gold Coast Turf Club Promoted as the racing industries most prestigious sales event, the Magic Millions is where the cashed up come to purchase the next big winner. “The Magic Millions flaunts money and glamour, while just down the road at Caboolture, the very same people are sending the horses they perhaps once profited from to be brutally killed. They are discarded like rubbish” Said Elio Celotto, Campaign Director for the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR). “The racing industry knowingly continues to breed and sell thousands of horses every year that eventually have no where else to go.” ABC’s 7:30 investigation exposed the systemic slaughter of thousands of racehorses every year forcing the industry to make token efforts in response, which includes the continuation of horse slaughter. “The industry claims they do not have an over-breeding problem whilst at the same time making calls for their own monitored slaughterhouses” Mr Celotto said. Victoria’s former top trainer Peter Moody said in a recent tweet “Why not have an industry knackery for want of a better description to manage and handle horses welfare as humanly as possible. RSPCA puts down thousands of animals each year.” In response Mr Celotto said “Though we do not support the RSPCA putting down animals who could be rehabilitated and rehomed, to compare the two is ludicrous” said Mr Celotto. “The RSPCA is not breeding animals, giving them behavioural problems, then killing them because they are no longer profitable. That is part of the business model of the horse racing industry.” “They should be calling for a ban on the slaughter of all horses bred into this industry, but they won’t because that would force them to have to address the over-breeding problem, resulting in a much lower sale and profitability rate at events such as the Magic Millions.” Things are grim on the track too. At the Magic Millions, two-year-olds will be raced and pushed well-beyond their limits before their bodies have fully developed, so that owners get a chance to see a return on their investments as soon as possible. “This is one of the many reasons we see one horse killed on Australian racetracks every three days and another reason why so many are sent to the slaughterhouse” he said. “Their bodies are being pushed well-beyond their limits before their bones have even fully fused”. Protesters will be making these cruel facts and many more known outside the gates of the Gold Coast Turf Club event this Saturday. Teaming up with Coast to Coast Animal Friends and Animal Liberation Queensland, CPR is expecting their biggest crowd yet. “Opposition to horse racing is growing significantly as the public becomes increasingly aware of the reality the horses face and the callous attitudes of those involved” he said. “It has been almost three months since Australians and the world were shocked at the ABC’s expose’ of the routine slaughter of perfectly healthy thoroughbreds discarded by this industry but the horror is still very raw for people and we expect that will continue”. Mr Celloto said. QUICK FACTS There is no retirement plan for horses used by the racing industry90% of racehorses suffer from bleeding in the lungs directly as a result of over-exertion90% suffer from stomach ulcers as a result of an unnatural feeding regimeRacehorses are stabled for up to 22 hours per day while in trainingThe jockey is allowed to beat the horse with a whip as many times as they desire from the final 100m markThe average time a horse will be raced for is 3 yearsApprox 13,500 foals are born into the racing industry each year yet it does not grow in size.Thousands of broodmares also vanish without a trace each year ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Friday 3 January 2020 Activists bring chants and TV’s to share truth at the Perth Cup What: Protest at the Perth Cup When: Saturday 4 January 2020, 9am – 1pm Where: Ascot Racecourse Main Entrance Only a few months have passed since Australia watched in horror as the ABC revealed the racing industry’s horrific retirement plan for thousands of horses. Activists will be reminding punters what it is they are supporting by attending the Perth Cup and calling on the industry for a retirement plan to end the slaughter. “The Perth Cup marketing machine asks – Want to do something a little classy and enjoy some fun and frivolity? You’ll barely see any mention of horses racing. This party could be anywhere. There is absolutely no need to support animal abuse to have a good time.” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “Token efforts are being made by the industry but no one is actually trying to end the slaughter of horses by investing in a serious retirement plan and addressing over-breeding” Mr Celotto said. “According to the ABC, WA Racing Minister Paul Papalia himself stated that knackeries are a reasonable method of dealing with the challenge of getting rid of a carcass, again highlighting that is how the industry views a used up horse, as nothing more than a carcass.” Attendees will find it difficult to avoid hearing and seeing the truth as they enter the event, as activists will chant industry statistics on deaths on track and on the reality of daily life as a racehorse. Large screen TV’s will bring the gruelling vision of horses being killed on the track and in the slaughterhouse to the eyes of those passing. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Thursday 19 December 2019 Races To Go Ahead Despite Extreme Heat Conditions – CPR condemns decision by Racing Victoria and Racing South Australia This Friday is predicted to reach 45 degrees in South Australia and 42 degrees in Victoria yet three race meets will still go ahead. “We strongly condemn the decision made by both states to go ahead with Friday’s race meets in soaring temperatures” said Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) Campaign Director Elio Celotto. “Horses are already being pushed well beyond their limits, with one killed on the racetrack every three days. Add high temperatures to that and you are highly likely to see horses suffering from heat stress which can be fatal” Mr Celotto said. Both states have made token efforts to address concerns including the races being brought forward at Yarra Valley and an extra vet on staff at Morphettville. “Yarra Valley will still see horses being pushed well beyond their limits and beaten with a whip in the early hours of the afternoon when temperatures will already be in the high 30’s. Morphettville will still be in the high 30’s when their evening races kick off, and whilst temperatures are predicted to start dropping the relative humidity is set to rise significantly. This is a recipe for disaster and absolutely unacceptable, but not surprising for an industry who treats horses as disposable objects” Mr Celotto said. “Whenever there is predicted extreme heat all horse racing should be cancelled immediately.” CPR will have volunteers on the ground at the tracks monitoring the conditions and documenting the horses who are very likely to suffer heat stress. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Tuesday 5 November 2019 Grave concerns for injured Melbourne Cup runner Horse protection campaigners hold grave fears for 4-year-old Irish horse Rostropovich who finished last in the Melbourne cup, appearing to suddenly slow down in the last 400m of the race. Post-race updates are coming in that Rostropovich was unable to weight-bear and has a suspected fractured pelvis, and has been taken to Werribee veterinary hospital. If Rostrovopich succumbs to his injuries, he will be the 7th horse in as many years to be fatally injured from the Melbourne Cup. Quotes attributable to Elio Celotto, Campaign Director for the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses. “We hold grave fears for Rostropovich because we know that one racehorse dies every 3 days on Australian racetracks, with 122 horses being killed in the last racing year. Rostropovich could become the 7th fatality in the Melbourne Cup in just 7 years.” “Even if Rostropovich survives, Australian racing has already demonstrated clearly that ‘horse racing kills’. Both on the track as these magnificent animals are pushed to breaking point, and at the doggers or abattoirs when no longer profitable.” “Rostropovich was whipped, tongue-tied and now injured – how’s that for a trifecta?” “The Melbourne Cup might not be the only thing Rostropovich loses today – he could lose his life too.” “We seriously hope that Rostropovich doesn’t become another Red Cadeaux – kept alive until the carnival hype dies down and then euthanised.” ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Tuesday 29 October 2019 Locals Say Nup to the Bendigo Cup What: Horse Racing Kills Protests When: Wednesday 30 October 2019 Where: Bendigo Jockey Club, 10:30am Bendigo animal advocates will come together tomorrow to protest horse racing at the Bendigo Cup. Locals to Bendigo, Tess & Siena contacted the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) expressing their horror at the scenes on horse slaughter recently exposed. “When we saw how brutally horses used by the racing industry are treated, we knew we could no longer remain silent on the issue” said local residents Tess and Siena. “The Bendigo Cup, like all horse racing events, is nothing more than a greedy celebration of animal abuse. We want to make sure all attendees know what they are supporting is unacceptable”. The friends hope anyone in the region who is anti-animal abuse will attend to help them speak up for the horses. CPR has seen a huge outcry of compassionate people from across the country supporting their work. “Since the story broke on ABC’s 7:30 on the systemic slaughter of horses used by the racing industry we have been inundated with calls from people across the nation asking how they can help end this brutality” said Kristin Leigh, Communications Director for the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR). “An impromptu protest occurred last Sunday at the Sale Cup, and we have actions coming up in Cairns, Luddenham, Batemans Bay, Blue Mountains and Riverstone, ” Ms Leigh said. “Opposition to horse racing has never been limited to city folk. Regional communities too strongly suppose this cruelty and it’s great to see them taking action like this.” The Bendigo protest is just one of many actions against horse racing taking place across Australia. “We have a record number of Nup to the Cup events registered – both private and public, groups running outreach and educational stalls, silent vigils to remember the victims, and in the case of Bendigo, a protest right at the entrance to the racetrack”. CPR will also have a strong presence at other big race meets throughout the season and will be hosting their own Nup to the Cup event ‘Fashuns on the Field‘ just outside Flemington Racecourse. “Fashuns on the Field is a protest with a twist. We host a cruelty-free event of food, fun and human races to show punters that you can have a great day out without supporting animal abuse.” 17 other Nup to the Cup events have already been registered with CPR with many more to come. View at https://horseracingkills.com/nuptocup/ CPR Spring Carnival campaign schedule: Wednesday 30 October – Bendigo Cup Protest 10:30am Saturday 2 November – Remembering the Victims Vigil, Riverstone 9am Saturday 2 November – Derby Day Protest 11am Sunday 3 November – Peninsula Cup Protest 11am Sunday 3 November – Cairns Protests the Melbourne Cup 1:30pm Monday 4 November – Cup Eve Parade Protest 11am Tuesday 5 November – Fashuns on the Field 10am Tuesday 5 November – Protest Melbourne Cup Day at Ascot Perth 9am Tuesday 5 November – Protest the Melbourne Cup – Brisbane 10am Tuesday 5 November – Protest the Melbourne Cup – Canberra 10:30am Tuesday 5 November – Protest the Melbourne Cup – Auckland Friday 8 November – Remembering the Victims Vigil – Luddenham 12pm Saturday 9 November – Train outreach at Stakes Day Friday 15 November – Silent Vigil at Screening of ‘Ride Like a Girl’ – Adelaide 10am All protest details can be found at https://bit.ly/2odXRXR ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
For Immediate Release, Monday 28 October 2019 Activists claim VRC plan is a start but $200 Million needed to save horses from slaughter The Victorian Racing Club announced this morning that an Equine Wellbeing Fund will be established for racehorses and more than $1 million will be raised from ticket sales that will kick start the program. Activist group, the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) welcome the announcement but says it’s simply not enough. In 2013, CPR submitted a proposal for the Rehabilitation and Re-homing of Thoroughbreds to Racing Australia (read here). It estimates that today, around $200 million dollars a year is needed annually to create an effective retirement plan. “While we acknowledge this is a start, we’ve done the math and much more money is needed to ensure the protection of these horses after racing. We’ve even worked out how to fund the initiative.” Said Elio Celotto, Campaign Director for CPR.“ In the proposal, a 1% levy on betting turnover would raise in the vicinity of $190 million per annum. A further 1% levy on prize money and a $2000 foal registration fee would also raise further funding. “A 1% levy on all betting turnover would raise in the vicinity of $190 million. What punter would begrudge 1 cent out of every dollar going towards a retirement plan for racehorses.” “Importantly the $2000 foal registration levy would not only raise funds for the retirement plan but deter over-breeding- the principle cause of the wastage problem in the first place.” While CPR is pleased with the announcement, they have been campaigning for a retirement plan for 10 years. “Finally we’re seeing the racing industry respond but the fact that it’s taken a graphic behind the scenes expose of the racing industry makes it difficult to believe that they are motivated by anything more than money and this move is just a public relations exercise.” “The slaughter of horses is definitely the biggest problem facing the racing industry however if they are genuine about horse welfare, they also need to consider the immediate phasing out of the whip and abolish the other inhumane practices such as the use of spurs, tongue ties, unnatural feeding regimes that cause stomach ulcers and the confinement of horses in small stables up to 23 hours per day.” he said “Welfare reforms will help but people must realise that this industry is built on exploiting horses for profits. Their suffering is and always will be inherent”. ENDS For More information: horseracingkills.com |
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