Protesters hold bloody anti Melbourne Cup demonstration

Protesters have held a bloody demonstration outside Flemington Racecourse the day before the Melbourne Cup.

Protesters have held a bloody demonstration outside Flemington Racecourse the day before the Melbourne Cup.

The group held signs saying “You bet they die” and “Nup to the cup” along with whips and starter guns shooting blood into the air. The activists said the protest was aimed at protecting race horses, who they claimed are subjected to “severe abuse and even death” while racing.

The demonstration against the Cup was organised by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR).

The small group observed current restrictions around gatherings in Metropolitan Melbourne, and a spokesperson told news.com.au they weren’t approached by police during the protest or moved on. However, the Victorian Racing Club has strongly refuted those claims, saying the group did not observe current restrictions on public gatherings, and police were called to the protest.

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The protesters were trying to raise awareness about horse deaths in the racing industry.

PETA believes 'animals are not ours to use for entertainment'.

The smaller group were adhering to social distancing guidelines.

PETA organised the protest along with the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses.

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“The VRC refutes claims that protesters observed current restrictions on public gatherings, and that the group were not approached nor asked to move on by police. Both of these claims by PETA are incorrect. The group numbered at least 13 including the photographers and videographers engaged by PETA,” a VRC spokesperson said.

“Police were called immediately, and when they arrived the group were asked to leave and subsequently dispersed peacefully.”

At the 2014 Melbourne Cup Japanese horse Admire Rakti dropped dead in his stables after running the Cup. Picture: David Caird.

“A spate of recent controversies has exposed the racing industry’s ruthless slaughter of thousands of unwanted racehorses, and yet, nothing has changed,” Kristen Leigh, the communications director of CPR said. “Racehorses are still being sent to slaughter while the industry pretends to have cleaned up its mess.”

CPR claims thoroughbred race horses commonly suffer illnesses, including “stomach ulcers, internal bleeding from the lungs, and are painfully whipped to the finish line”.

“While media coverage glosses over the bleeding lungs, broken bones, and tragic loss of life, horses on Australian racetracks are subject to severe abuse and even death,” Emily Rice, PETA’s Senior Outreach and Partnerships Manager said.

“How many more deaths will it take before we call time on this disgraceful demonstration of national senselessness?”

Last week NSW Racing CEO Peter V’landys committed to lobbying the state government for a positive outcome for thoroughbreds, after secret camera footage revealed retired race horses had been killed at a knackery.

NSW Racing’s regulatory body launched an investigation after the footage, obtained by activists, revealed the horse’s deaths.