The Melbourne Cup has long been a topic of contention. The huge celebration is not only a public holiday in Victoria, but it’s become a part of the Aussie culture.
Every year at 3pm on the first Tuesday of November, people gather around the telly to watch the highly anticipated horse race. Bets are made, money is lost, and hearts are either broken or pumping with adrenaline. People come dressed to the nines as they put on their best suit and don the biggest fascinator they could find all to watch a number of jockeys aim to reach the finish line.
But the country’s most famous annual horse race is also marred with controversy. In the last nine years, eight horses have died at the Melbourne Cup, and the voices of animal rights groups are becoming increasingly louder as they gain more support.
Racehorses can suffer from serious injuries and ailments as a result of training and racing, with many of them left to be euthanised once they cannot race anymore. Jockey’s use whips to speed up the horse while racing, many even charged with animal cruelty.
While the Victoria Racing Club rejects all notions of cruelty, it’s safe to say that when it comes to the Cup, the horses never win.
For over 150 years it’s been the race that stops the nation, captivating people from all over the country, but as the years go on, more and more people are siding with the animals, including celebrities.
While stars such as Delta Goodrem proudly attended the races yesterday, others chose to say “Nup to the Cup”, taking to Instagram to lend their support to animal rights groups.
These are the celebrities who did not celebrate Melbourne Cup this year.
Abbie Chatfield
