For Immediate Release, Monday 14 February 2022

Would the world be outraged with Sir Mark Todd if he and his horse were on a racetrack? 

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) is calling on the public to make the connection between the appalling abuse Sir Mark Todd subjected an innocent horse to and the standard industry practices that occur daily in horse racing.

Sir Mark Todd, a Kiwi now living in the UK, has apologised after video footage was released of him whipping a horse to make them go through a water obstacle, not just once but ten times! – available here.

The knighted equestrian champion has been a licensed racehorse trainer in the UK since retiring from eventing three years ago.

“Sir Mark Todd is no knight and the Cabinet Office must revoke his knighthood” says CPR spokesperson Frances Baker. “But, whilst we absolutely condemn this act of violence, we must highlight that such acts of aggression and abuse are standard practice in the racing industry here in New Zealand and throughout the world.”

“The industry practice of beating a horse with a whip is not unlike what Mark Todd has carried out, yet his behaviour has outraged the world. This says a lot about how much people are willing to accept blatant animal abuse when it occurs in a scenario where people are used to seeing it.”

Some racing industry proponents have already gone into damage control, using this incident to call on the British Racing Authority to change the name of the whip to something more palatable such as a “procush” or the “encourager” believing the public will not associate beating a horse with an object as a form of abuse if the object has a different name – available here.

Studies have long proven otherwise, with clear evidence that whips hurt horses – the most recent here.

“When there are big dollars involved and animals are used as money making machines, they become victims to their powerful owners or trainers in all industries. Some forms have simply been more normalised than others.”

”The abuse Mark Todd subjected this horse to is rightly being condemned by the world. People must join the dots and see that such abuse should never be accepted simply because it occurs on a racetrack. Horse racing is stuck in the dark ages, a time when it was normal for gladiator slaves to be thrust into the arena for the spectator’s bloody entertainment” Ms Baker said. 

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10178/

For Immediate Release, Wednesday 2 February 2022

Animal Rights Activists Say Nup to the Taranaki Cup
Continuing the momentum of nationwide opposition to horse racing 

What: Protest against Taranaki Cup
When: Saturday 5 February 2022 11am – 1pm
Where: New Plymouth Raceway – Meeting on the grass area on the corner of Rogan Street and Coronation Avenue
 
Taranaki Animal Save invites the public to join protest at Powerworx Taranaki Cup Day

Last year twenty-five horses died on New Zealand racetracks, along with countless others in the days following due to racing related injuries and complications. Pulmonary haemorrhages and cardiac arrhythmias are disturbingly common. The racing industry themselves reported over 600 incidents of excessive whipping in 2021, although activists witnessed many other incidents that were not reported.

“In 2022 it should no longer be acceptable to put animals in harms way in the name of entertainment,” says Summer Aitken, a spokesperson for Taranaki Animal Save.
 
In partnership with Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR), Taranaki Animal Save will be holding a protest outside New Plymouth Raceway this Saturday. Members of the public are invited to attend the peaceful demonstration which aims to raise awareness about the ongoing welfare issues plaguing the racing industry.

“We want our presence outside Taranaki Cup Day to be a reminder to the industry and their sponsors that public support for horse racing is waning. It’s widely considered unacceptable to use and abuse animals for gambling and entertainment,” Aitken adds.
 
Taranaki based activists have attended all the racing meetings at New Plymouth Raceway over the past 12 months. At every event they have photographed and recorded highly distressed horses being whipped, kicked, dragged, blindfolded, and physically lifted off their feet. They have documented horses with their tongues tied to their jaws, horses rearing and getting stuck in the barriers, and more.

“There is a dark side to this industry, beyond the glitz and glamour, and it’s the horses who pay the ultimate price,” says Elin Arbez, member of Taranaki Animal Save and representative for CPR.
 
“At the previous race day on 27^th December we photographed one particularly distressed horse who was later examined by a veterinarian and diagnosed with lameness and an elevated heart rate. Forcing sore and stressed horses to race for human greed is completely unacceptable,” Ms Arbez goes on to say. 

“Nine horses have been killed at New Plymouth Raceway alone in the past decade. Horses who are not profitable to the industry are killed in huge numbers behind the scenes, with an average of 3000 thoroughbred racehorses unaccounted for annually.”  Read the full report here.
 
Due to the Covid-19 red alert level, participants are asked to wear masks, observe social distancing, and not attend if you’re experiencing any symptoms or have recently been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10176/

For Immediate Release, Friday 28 January 2022

Protest at the Wellington Cup – Horse racing is a blood sport

What: Protest at Wellington Cup 
When: Tomorrow! Saturday 29^th January 2022 11am – 1pm
Where: Cnr Sutherland Drive and Fergusson Drive, Trentham, Upper Hut (outside Children First Early Childhood Centre)

Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will have a strong presence outside the cruel Wellington Cup tomorrow, an event which last year led to the death of six year old gelding Rock On Wood.

Animal Rights Activist & CPR spokesperson Frances Baker said, “Horse racing is on the decline, as confirmed by The Treasury in the Impact Statement 2019.”

Even media outlets and fashion designers are now openly calling for an end to the industry.

“Two of the most reputable and influential newspapers in the US – The Washing Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer have both called for horse racing to end stating ‘Horse racing has outlived it’s time’.”

“When the public go to the Wellington Cup to have fun what they do not appreciate is that there is the dark side to racing. We believe they deserve to know the truth, which is one of the many reasons why we will be protesting outside the Wellington Cup.” Ms Baker said.

The event will also host Fashion In The Field judges Anna Campbell, Stephanie Murray, Claire Hahn, Carl Manderson and Lou Heller. CPR emailed both Anna Campbell and Stephanie Murray with information regarding the systemic cruelty in horse racing. Both failed to respond. 

“These judges are all actively endorsing and normalising animal cruelty behind the facade of fashion” Ms Baker said. 

“Two Australian fashion designers who used to attend the Melbourne Cup have been quite outspoken on the reasons they believe fashion labels are making a mistake by associating themselves with horse racing. They even referred to as it being ‘Hunger games esque’ which is a very fitting statement.”In the article, co-owner and creative director of Twoobs, Jess Dadon, stated “Ninety-four per cent of our followers said they did not support the Cup. But interestingly, 48 per cent said they once did – so attitudes are definitely shifting.”

Full article in the Australian Financial Review available here.

In 2021 there were at least:

• 25 deaths on track (more will die off track after sustaining racing related injuries)
• 636 incidents of “excessive” whip use
• 226 horses who were too afraid to go into the barrier or were fractious/distressed once inside (in the last quarter last year 37% of those didn’t race)
• 309 total injuries – 157 were considered serious
• 49 horses who were reported to have suffered exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). The true number of horses bleeding in the lungs would be much greater since most cases of EIPH go undetected.
• .Many are killed behind the scenes simply for not being profitable. Approximately 3,000 New Zealand thoroughbred horses are unaccounted for on a yearly basis. Report available here

“‘The industry have long fooled the public into believing that their horses are loved, well cared for and that they love to run, when in fact these horses are made powerless to humans through harsh training techiniques and the use of pain and fear inflicting implements. They are treated like commodities who are disregarded, discarded and disposed of” Ms Baker said.

Read about our New Zealand campaign here.Watch CPR’s latest documentary here.

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10174/

For Immediate Release, Thursday 29 June, 2023

Australia’s trade in the export of horse meat for human consumption finally ends, but a breaking 
investigation reveals the horror for horses caught up in this trade overseas continues

Horsemeat from North and South America
International animal welfare organisations demand a halt to the import and production of horsemeat under cruel conditions
 
Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) can confirm that not only has Meramist, the QLD slaughterhouse the organisation and ABC’s 7:30 exposed for the systemic abuse and killing of racehorses in 2019, has stopped killing all horses, but also that no other Australian slaughterhouse currently holds an export license to produce horse meat for overseas human consumption.

But the news is bitter-sweet, not only due to knowing horses (including racehorses) continue to be sent to Australian knackeries for pet food production but also due to the latest investigations by our international partners Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) and Tierschutzbund Zürich (TSB), along with Animals’ Angels USA demonstrating systemic cruelty in the production of horse meat for human consumption continues in Uruquay and Canada.

Both investigations available in the links below.

Uruguay:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZlkMJHgeSzE
Film: https://youtu.be/bFJlGALxgws
 
Canada:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/RtvJ5FAZVWs
Film: https://youtu.be/X6q1sT0e2c0

The production of horsemeat for the EU and Switzerland is steadily being relocated from North to South America. Together with a coalition of international animal welfare organisations, AWF and CPR have been calling for years for a halt on the import and production of horsemeat under cruel conditions. In Australia, the only EU-approved horse abattoir, Meramist, recently stopped slaughtering horses, and the EU imposed an import ban on Mexico in 2015. In the USA, horse slaughterhouses were closed back in 2007. Since then, US horses have been exported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. In Canada, the number of horses slaughtered has steadily declined from 54,000 in 2016 to approximately 12,000 in 2022. Only Argentina and Uruguay have recorded increases.  
 
According to AWF, the relocation of horsemeat production to South America is partly to do with lower production costs. For years, AWF has been criticising the cruel conditions under which horsemeat is produced in North and South America. Conditions in producing countries vary.
 
Horsemeat from Canada
 
Bouvry Exports in Alberta, Canada, is the largest North American horse slaughterhouse. Half of the horses slaughtered in Canada come from the USA. EU meat export stipulations require US horses to be kept in feedlot pens for six months before being slaughtered. This is to minimise the risk of drug residues. “The practice causes drawn-out suffering. Horses are fattened up over the months until they get ill,” reports Sabrina Gurtner, project manager at AWF. The only purpose of the feed is to make them gain weight. The result is painful hoof and metabolic diseases. Sick horses are not given medical treatment. They should be given drugs like the anti-inflammatory painkiller phenylbutazone, but this drug is prohibited if the animal is to be slaughtered for human consumption. The feedlot manager confirms this to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA: “(…) phenylbutazone isn’t an option for horses going to slaughter. (…) their condition gets worse as they get heavier, but we can’t treat them because of the EU program.”


 

 © Animals’ Angels USA, AWF|TSB

“In the course of our on-site investigations we repeatedly document lame horses, horses with laminitis and horses that have died of their illnesses or injuries,” says Sabrina Gurtner. Mares and stallions are mixed in Bouvry Exports’ feedlot. They take in pregnant animals too. “The chances of survival for foals in pens designed for fattening are slim. We’ve found sick foals in summer and foals that have frozen to death at birth in winter,” recalls Sabrina Gurtner.
 
“We import the horsemeat directly from Canada. We source it mainly from the Bouvry farm in Alberta, which is without a doubt the most appropriate, respectful horse breeding farm in the world. The horses there live in semi-freedom.” This is Swiss importer Skin Packing S.A. describing the way horses are kept at Bouvry Exports. “That’s not what we’ve observed on the ground for over a decade,” counters Sabrina Gurtner. Respectful breeders would not let foals freeze to death at birth or raise them in fattening pens like these. Professor Stephanie Krämer from Justus Liebig University in Giessen thinks this way of keeping horses is irreconcilable with animal welfare. “These animals aren’t fed properly or given care. Depriving the horses of medical treatment is also done intentionally, so that their meat can be exported. The pain these animals suffer is knowingly accepted.”
 
Horsemeat from Uruguay
 
For years, AWF and TSB have been monitoring the stages horses pass through before being slaughtered in EU-certified abattoirs for EU and Swiss customers. In a recent long-term investigation spanning two years in conjunction with a pre-announced EU inspection, the three EU-certified slaughterhouses Clay, Sarel and El Amanecer were observed covertly and overtly before, during and after the EU visit. “Our research shows that the EU audits are manipulated through extensive preparations,” reports Sabrina Gurtner. What is particularly striking is that only a fraction of the horses are on the slaughterhouse pastures during the audits. “These are selected horses in good overall condition. They’re placed on green pastures with protection from the weather. But that’s not the reality before and after the monitoring visits. Once the inspectors have left, the horses are put back on dusty, dirty fields, often without roughage and sometimes even without water. And instead of 40 to 60 healthy horses, there are hundreds. These include pregnant mares, seriously injured and severely emaciated animals,” Sabrina Gurtner says, describing her observations 14 days after the EU audit. “The behaviour of the workers is striking too. As soon as they feel unobserved, they use their driving flags as batons and beat the horses systematically,” says Sabrina Gurtner.

   
   
 © Animal Welfare Foundation & Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR)

Problem: traceability and food safety
 
AWF and its partner organisations are generally critical of the inadequate traceability of horses in overseas meat production. There is no identification system for horses like there is in Europe. Several changes of ownership are common and many horses are traded at auctions. The last owner, usually the slaughter horse trader, provides information on medications and the origin of the horses they sell to slaughterhouses. “People rely on the honesty of the profiteers. That opens the way to systematic fraud and puts consumers in the EU and Switzerland at risk,” criticises Sabrina Gurtner.
 
“We regularly get reports from Uruguay and Argentina about stolen and smuggled horses. The police have put together a number of special units to convict mafia-like gangs,” says Sabrina Gurtner. Most recently, a criminal gang dedicated to smuggling stolen horses from Brazil was broken up in Uruguay in December 2022. The gang included a former police officer and the head of customs in Rivera.
 
Slaughter figures in Uruguay have been rising steadily for some years. It was 52,000 horses in 2022. Swiss importer Skin Packing has been promising for years to commit to improving its source slaughterhouses. “We haven’t seen any substantial improvements in animal welfare during our inspections,” says Sabrina Gurtner. AWF and its partner organisations have been criticising the abuse and neglect of slaughter horses in Uruguay and Argentina for years. Past EU audits confirmed animal welfare violations and the manipulation of audits by slaughterhouse operators in both countries.
 
“Considering the unresolved animal welfare problems in overseas slaughterhouses since 2012, the European Commission should take action at last and stop the import of horsemeat from cruel production,” demands AWF and its partner organisations.
 
Partner organisations in the EU and overseas:
 
Animales Sin Hogar (Uruguay), Animals’ Angels (USA), Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (Canada), Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (Australia), Dier&Recht (Netherlands), Fondation Franz Weber (Argentina), GAIA (Belgium), IHP Italian Horse Protection (Italy), Tierschutzbund Zürich (Switzerland), Welfarm (France), supported by Eurogroup for Animals (Brussels)
 
 For a full dossier please contact CPR on [email protected]

Documentary films:
 
Uruguay:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ZlkMJHgeSzE
Film: https://youtu.be/bFJlGALxgws
 
Canada:
Trailer: https://youtu.be/RtvJ5FAZVWs
Film: https://youtu.be/X6q1sT0e2c0
 
 
International petition:
www.change.org/stopp-horsemeat-imports-en 
 
 
Contact:
Sabrina Gurtner
Project Manager
Animal Welfare Foundation
[email protected]

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10171/

For Immediate Release, Friday 23 June 2023

7 Horses Killed on Queensland Tracks in 3 Weeks
Spark Animal Rights Advocates to Call For a Public Boycott of Racing

Brisbane 23/06/2023— Animal Liberation Queensland (“ALQ” or the “Organisation”) & Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR)

The Queensland horse racing industry is being called out by animal protection groups as a devastating series of events unfolded over the past three weeks, resulting in the deaths of seven horses. Tragically, these animals suffered catastrophic injuries during races held at various tracks across the state, casting a dark cloud over the integrity and safety of the sport.

The unprecedented spate of horse fatalities has sent shockwaves through the industry and ignited grave concerns regarding the welfare and protection of racehorses. Animal advocates and the wider public have been left deeply disturbed by these deaths, prompting urgent calls for a public boycott of the racing industry.

The incidents that occurred at various race tracks across the state are deeply troubling:

1. On Saturday, June 3rd, ‘Little Trojan’ suffered an injury to his near front leg during his debut race in Cairns. The 3-year-old was then killed by the on-track veterinarian.
2. On the same day, at the Gold Coast, ‘Zatara’ was forced to withdraw from the race at the 800-meter mark due to a severe injury to his near fore fetlock, ultimately leading to the 4-year-old’s euthanasia.
3. On Monday, June 5th, in Thangool, ‘Cooeybaymagic’ tragically broke down near the finish line, shattering her off fore fetlock and resulting in the euthanasia of the 4-year-old. The incident has been selectively removed from race replays.
4. The following day, on Tuesday, June 6th, in Dalby, ‘Miralie’ suffered a catastrophic fall near the 500-meter mark, resulting in a compound fracture to his off-foreleg and the heartbreaking decision to euthanise the 8-year-old horse. Racing Queensland has chosen to entirely remove the replay from their website.
5. ‘Dominique’, a 3-year-old filly, became the fifth horse to lose her life on Queensland tracks within a five-day period. Sustaining a severe and distressing injury during a race at Mackay on Thursday, June 8th, ‘Dominique’ was sadly euthanised due to the extent of her injuries.
6. ‘Duchess Rothesay’, a 4-year-old mare, experienced cardiac arrest following a race on Friday, June 16th at the Sunshine Coast, leading to her subsequent death.
7. Tragically, on Saturday, June 17th, ‘Bea Epoch’, the race favourite in Mount Isa, sustained a leg fracture despite finishing third. The severity of the injury necessitated the euthanisation of the 3-year-old gelding. In race replays, the gelding’s visible lameness after crossing the finish line and a recorded voice saying “we might need a cover” further highlight the distressing nature of the incident.

These successive incidents have sparked outrage among animal advocates. What further deepens the sense of concern is the subsequent removal of incidents from race replays, raising questions about transparency within the industry. The absence of these events from the public eye intensifies the need for open and honest communication about the welfare and safety of racehorses.

Amanda Holly, Campaign Manager at Animal Liberation Queensland, stated that the racing industry poses significant risks to horses, leading to their perilous and untimely demise. “Disturbingly, statistics reveal that, on average, a horse loses its life every 2.5 days on Australian race tracks. In the year 2023 alone, the state of Queensland has already witnessed the tragic deaths of seventeen horses in race track incidents, with seven of those deaths occurring over the past 3 weeks.

“These numbers don’t include the horses who are killed as a result of injuries sustained through training, trials, or unwanted race horses who are sent to abattoirs and knackeries every year.

“More and more Australians are turning their backs on the racing industry and refusing to support animal cruelty. Meanwhile, our state government shamefully continues to throw money at the industry. Public money is funding the killing of horses. This needs to stop”. 

The horse racing industry, despite its harmful consequences, receives favourable treatment in Queensland as the state government re-invests 80% of all point of consumption taxes (POCT) from betting back into the industry to enhance prize money, construct additional racetracks, and inadvertently perpetuate the suffering and loss of countless animals. 

“At a time where most Queenslanders are struggling with the cost of living, this cash splash funding the certain injury and deaths of horses should be met with outrage from taxpayers”, said Ms Holly.

Animal Liberation Queensland in collaboration with Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR), has staged several protests outside Queensland tracks this month, most recently at the Ipswich Cup on Saturday, to educate the public about the stark and sad realities of horse racing.

CPR’s Campaign Director Elio Celotto is calling for a Royal Commission into the industry stating: “The racing industry is shrouded in secrecy and lies, yet supported by taxpayer dollars. In addition to the high number of racing fatalities we learn of, countless other horses are taken from the track injured, listed as ‘retired’ and never heard of again. Queensland and all other state governments are addicted to the gambling dollar at the horses’ expense. The public has the right to know how deep the cruelty, abuse and cover-ups go.”

Ms Holly added,“This is why we encourage the public to boycott horse racing and to join us on July 1st to say Nup to the Caloundra Cup. The industry has proven time and time again that they see these horses as mere collateral damage”.
 

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10169/

For Immediate Release, Thursday 4 May 2023

Protest to End Jumps Racing After The Bool Takes Another Victim

When: TODAY – Thursday 4 May 10:.30am
Where: Warrnambool Racecourse Main Entrance

Today, Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) will join forces with the Animal Justice Party (AJP) to demand an end to jumps racing after yet another horrific death at this years carnival.

On the first day of what CPR refer to as the Carnival of Cruelty, six year old gelding St Arnicca was killed.

CPR’s raw footage Available here. shows the horrific pain and suffering St Arnicca endured before his death..

Quotes attributable to CPR Communications Director Kristin Leigh.

“The leg of beautiful six year old gelding St Arnicca was flapping around as though hanging by a thread, after he fell on the second last jump in the Brierly steeplechase on Tuesday. His leg break is one of the worst I’ve seen.

“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.

“Thirty-two horses have been killed in jumps races at the Warrnambool track alone since 2005, many at the May Carnival itself. Meaning, it is statistically more likely that a horse will be killed at this event than not.

“Todays program includes the gruelling Grand Annual Steeplechase – a race with 33 hurdles, more than any other in the world.

“After South Australia banned jumps racing last year, making it a crime under the animal welfare act, Victoria remains the only state in Australia where this brutal display of animal abuse continues.”

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10167/

For Immediate Release, Tuesday 2 May 2023

Raw Footage: Brutal Death at The Bool

Today, Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) captured the horrific fall, break and death of six year old gelding St Arnicca.

Available here.

Quotes attributable to CPR Communications Director Kristin Leigh.

“The leg of beautiful six year old gelding St Arnicca was flapping around as though hanging by a thread, after he fell on the second last jump in the Brierly steeplechase today.

“It is only Day 1 of this three day carnival of cruelty and already we’ve seen a horse fall and die. His leg break is one of the worst I’ve seen.

“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.

“Thirty-two horses have been killed in jumps races at the Warrnambool track alone since 2005, many at the May Carnival itself. Meaning, it is statistically more likely that a horse will be killed at this event than not.

“We invite as many people as possible to join us this Thursday as we protest at Day 3 of this brutal event.”

Protest details
When: Thursday 4 May 2023 – 10:30am
Where: Warrnambool Racing Club, main entrance

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10165/

For Immediate Release, Friday 24 March 2023 

A Day at the Races!

By Kristin Leigh
Communcations Director 
Coaltion for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR)
 

A Day at the Races in Australia can mean many things for many people. For the punters, it can be anything from a relaxed social outing to a drunken stupor. From enjoying watching horses be beaten around the track, to being bored AF. From having a minor flutter, or cracking a huge win, to losing everything you own.

A Day at the Races can also mean many things for the horses who are forced to participate. But none of them are good.

One such regular day is Saturday 18 March 2023 – just for example.

BANTAMWEIGHT reared and fell over in the parade ring.
ODIN OMEN reared behind the barriers, fell backward and struck his head on the turf (reportedly reacting to the cross-over nose band).  
HEAR ME OUT reared while being forced into the barriers, hit the outside rail and dislodged his rider.
Three jockeys rode their horses so carelessly they were reprimanded or suspended.
Thirteen horses finished the race noticeably lame to varying degrees.
Four horses suffered lacerations to their legs
Nineteen horses were “over” whipped to varying degrees
TAKING STEPS coughed up blood after the race
NASHIRA had blood in his mouth
Eleven horses suffered heat stress (several were noted to be affected by the heat pre-race but were still forced to race before succumbing to the terrifying condition).
LAWS OF INDICES was noted to have suffered a ‘degree’ of EIPH (bleeding in the lungs)
Another three horses bled so badly from their lungs it came out both of their nostrils (EIPH grade 4).
At least one horse suffered from dehydration.
MR CASHMAN was found to have a wound above his right eye so was prevented from racing
NOKONDI hit the running rail and returned lame in two legs.
BANJO SHARK hit the running rail, fell and suffered abrasions to all four legs.
GINAN was found to have a tongue laceration but was still made to race (with the exemption of not having to wear a tongue-tie).
Six horses displayed a poor race recovery
BELLA DAYS was noted to have suffered “multiple abrasions”.
IN THE BOAT sustained wounds to his fetlock and heel.
Two horses displayed irregular heart rhythm.
MINTO D’ORO suffered severe muscle cramps.
Ten horses dislodged their riders,
and
Two horses died.

Rest in Peace Lockitineddy – the three-year-old whose pelvis broke in his first ever race, and Florescent Star – who clipped the heels of another hose and fell resulting in her being killed on the track.

Of additional important mention, on this day in Race 8 at Rosehill NSW, filly LEARNING TO FLY was being raced for the fourth time since turning two years old just six months ago. She was reported to have been “restless” in the barrier and reared on several occasions. Whilst being raced she struck the heels of another horse, blundered badly, lost her rider and ran riderless – chasing the herd for the remainder of the race. She is now reported to be severely injured.

They and every other horse raced that day suffered fear, pain and stress.

That’s Racing!

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/10163/

For Immediate Release, Monday 13 March 2023

A Growing Chorus Will Say Nup to the Adelaide Cup
CPR/ALSA/Canine Cup/Greens

CPR/ALSA Protest
When: TODAY – Monday 13 March 10am
Where: Morphettville Racecourse – main entrance on Anzac Hwy

Canine Cup Event
When: TODAY – Monday 13 March 12 – 4pm
Where: Plant 4, Bowden – 5 Third Street, Bowden SA

Nup to the Cup is a growing national movement, and that includes the caring people of Adelaide and surrounds.  

Adelaidians can get their protest on outside the Morphettville track with the Coaliion for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) and Animal Liberaton South Australia (ALSA). Or, they can instead choose to enjoy the celebration for the ‘race that makes the nation paws!’ at Plant 4 Bowden – Adelaide’s biggest cruelty free alternative to ‘a day at the races’ made for animal lovers.

“The event is filled with all the fashion, fun, food and photo ops of a race day, but none of the cruelty” said Dani Slocombe, who created the annual Canine Cup event after she saw Regal Monarch lose his life in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.

“There will be plenty of eateries to choose from and incredible prizes up for grabs, as attendees watch six adorable races of pups running for fun on the big screens” she said. 

All funds raised go to Freedom Hill Sanctuary, who rescue and rehabilitate ex race horses, greyhounds and commonly farmed animals.

This event is in it’s fifth year and has sold out with over 200 people in attendance each time. 

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are big supporters of the Canine Cup. 

“Every year we see more and more people turning away from the cruelty inherent to horse racing by saying Nup to the Cup” said Campaign Director for CPR, Elio Celotto.

“The Canine Cup is yet another example of the many fantastic ways people can dress up and have fun without the cruelty.”

“It is such a great concept and the dogs are very clearly not being forced to do anything, unlike animals used in the racing industry. They look like they are having an absolute ball” said Mr Celotto.

CPR lanched a brand new website and marketing campaign last year, with the long-term goal of the Nup to the Cup movement taking over the Melbourne Cup, the Adelaide Cup and all other Cup events across the country. 

“In just over one year, eleven horses (that we know of) have lost their lives on South Australian tracks due to injuries sustained whilst being used to race. Four of those horses were killed at the home of the Adelaide Cup – Morphettville.

“Whilst it has been fantastic to see South Australia outlaw jumps racing, the cruel industry of horse racing remains.” Mr Celotto said.

South Australia Greens MP, Tammy Franks, responsible for bringing the legislation to ban jumps racing to parliament, yet again joins the growing chorus of those saying Nup to the Cup. 

“South Australia’s racing industry is inhumane, deadly, and incompatible with animal welfare. When gambling is done with flesh and blood, there will inevitably be very few winners and many, many losers. 
 
After years of exposes on the cruelty of the horse racing industry and ongoing concerns about the power and influence of the gambling industry, it is beyond time to shut this industry down.
 
More and more South Australians are saying ‘Nup to the Cup’, rejecting cruelty and the use of animals as entertainment in recognition that this industry is inherently cruel, and not something that our state should be supporting into the future” she said.

A video of the 2020 Canine Cup, Melbourne Cup edition, can be viewed here.

A previous Canine Cup event, where attendees watch the race on the big screen can be viewed here. 

Tickets to the Canine Cup available here.
More information on the CPR and ALSA protest available here. 

https://horseracingkills.com/2023/06/30/a-growing-chorus-will-saynup-to-the-adelaide-cupcpr-alsa-canine-cup-greens/