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.
