Statement: The cruelty behind the race that stops the nation

When you look at the recent track record of the Melbourne Cup the odds aren’t good for the horses.

Last year took a tragic turn when Red Cadeaux was euthanized due to complications from a Melbourne Cup injury. And in 2014, Admire Rakti and Araldo were also fatal victims of the race.

The welfare of the horse is so adversely affected in racing and other equestrian sports. Areas of welfare concern in horseracing include diet, transport, management, training, culling of uncompetitive animals, use of the whip and risk of injury and death.

Racing exposes horses to significant risk of injury and sometimes death through trauma or emergency euthanasia. Research in Victoria into the risk of death in flat horse racing found approximately one fatality per 1,000 horse starts.

 In addition, horseracing involves striking the horse with of a whip, which by definition is likely to inflict a degree of pain and potentially injury.