While stars including Delta Goodrem and Michelle Payne are taking to the field at the 2021 Melbourne Cup, others are taking a stance against the controversial “race that stops the nation.”
WATCH: MAFS contestant Dean Wells says Nup To The Cup in 2018
Abbie Chatfield and Angie Kent have been among the first to voice their opinion on the Melbourne Cup, sharing a post by designer and artist Rachael Sarra that reads: “It’s a neigh from me.”
While Angie’s fellow Gogglebox alum and podcast co-host Yvie Jones shared an Instagram post with a quote from the ABC, from someone who was “ashamed” of having previously enjoyed the Melbourne Cup and would now be saying nup.
The ‘nup to the cup’ movement says that the sport is cruel for animals involved. Racehorses can suffer from serious injuries, ailments and may even die as a result of training and racing, according to PETA Australia.
Seven horses have died on Cup Day since 2013. In 2019, a report found that 122 horses died on race tracks in Australia between August 2018 and July 2019.
Earlier today, several activists from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses were apprehended by police at Flemington Racecourse.
ABC News Breakfast presenter Michael Rowland tweeted about being ‘conflicted’ over the racing event as Melburnians celebrate the end of the world’s longest lockdown at the cup.
“I am increasingly conflicted about the Melbourne Cup,” he said. “Yes, it’s huge event (and God knows Melbourne needs them at the moment).
“But I can’t overlook the fact seven horses have died on Cup Day since 2013. That really doesn’t sit easily with me. Genuinely torn.”
Meanwhile, Jodhi Meares shared a tile that called the day a ‘memorial.’
“Melbourne Cup Day is not a celebration, it’s a memorial. Please pay your respects by acknowledging them and saying #NupToTheCup,” she wrote.
Married At First Sight star Ines Basic was also among those to boycott, sharing a post by Warrior For Animals on her Instagram Story.
“No horse deserves to die for gambling money,” the post read. “That’s why I will never attend or place a bet on a horse race.”
Today Extra host David Campbell said he and his wife, Lisa, would be saying nup to the cup by “running ourselves around this beautiful city.”
Ash London shared a post on her Instagram Story to say “hope no horses die today.” She later elaborated: “For those that didn’t understand, this post was very much intended to draw attention to the horrendous fact that too often we lose a beautiful horse at the cup.”
Wentworth actress Susie Porter shared a post to Instagram claiming that 149 horses were killed on Australian race tracks between 2020 and 2021.
“The race that stops more than a nation!! Thoughts to all the beautiful souls who get whipped and slaughtered for human greed and entertainment #nuotothecup,” she wrote.
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