Megan Gale pulls out of Melbourne Cup Carnival appearance
A birdcage regular is the latest celebrity to pull out of the Melbourne Cup following shocking revelations of cruelty to former racehorses.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Model and entrepreneur Megan Gale is the latest celebrity to opt out of the Melbourne Cup Carnival on the back of the shocking revelations of cruelty to former racehorses in Queensland and NSW.
The Lexus ambassador, who has been a Spring Racing Carnival regular for many years as the face of the Melbourne Cup sponsor, says it was not a decision she took lightly.
“My client Lexus has been wonderfully supportive about this and I thank them for that and look forward to continuing what is, and will continue to be, a great partnership of mutual respect,” she said.
Lexus CEO Scott Thompson said they “fully respect the decision by Megan Gale to not attend the Lexus Melbourne Cup and acknowledge her ongoing commitment as a Lexus ambassador”.
It comes on the back of American actor Lana Condor, best known for her role as Lara Jean Covey in the Netflix series To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, last week pulling out of her planned Cup Day appearance, citing scheduling issues.
Networking app Bumble, the marquee sponsor she was due to appear for, subsequently announced it had made a $130,000 donation to the Victorian racing industry’s Off The Track program to support the welfare and rehoming of ex-racehorses.
Taylor Swift also cited a schedule change as the reason she cancelled her appearance at the Cup, after a social media campaign by animal activists.
Anthony Callea, who will sing the national anthem on Cup Day, has pledged to donate his performance fee to an equine welfare and a rehabilitation organisation after footage of the shocking treatment of horses at a Queensland abattoir was aired on ABC TV.
In an Instagram post he said: “I know this will not satisfy all, but I do hope in a time of differing opinions across many aspects of society, that the singing of the national anthem will unite us in our differences, and help celebrate and showcase my hometown of Melbourne and our beautiful country on the world stage.”
FABULOUS FLEMINGTON SET FOR ITS BIGGEST WEEK
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AXED MARNGROOK FOOTY SHOW
Myer ambassador Asher Keddie made it clear when she signed with the retailer earlier this year she would not be trackside for the carnival because of her reservations about horse racing. Myer is a long-time sponsor of Fashions on the Field.
Racing Victoria announced earlier this week it would provide $25 million to set up a welfare taskforce to prevent cruelty, with the VRC tipping in $1 million to kickstart the scheme.
Lexus will launch its luxury Birdcage marquee today, with Australia’s native landscape the inspiration in three levels of luxury design, food and hospitality.