“The race that stops a nation” isn’t stopping much these days as more Australians switch off, tune out and let Melbourne Cup Day pass by without a second thought. It’s working folks, let’s keep it up.
Victoria Racing Club, which puts on the Spring Racing Carnival every year, has been losing followers rapidly since the #nuptothecup campaign launched a decade ago in light of a number of horse deaths on the field. At the last pre-pandemic event in 2019, 81,408 people attended the Melbourne Cup and 276,186 to the carnival overall. That’s down from 2010 when 102,161 people went to the Cup and 368,929 turned up overall. No one will be surprised if the numbers drop further this year.
New national research commissioned by the Greens found 54 per cent of people thought horses should not be raced for gambling and entertainment and 59 per cent said it was cruel.
Melbourne uni psychology lecturer Dr Katie Greenaway
“In recent years though, the meaning of the race has changed in people’s minds. It’s become controversial, associated with things people don’t want to be associated with like animal cruelty, gambling problems and wealth disparity.”
cost-of-living crisisgo without meaningful supportMateusEmilyBradKath & KimJackThis episode is burnt into many young Aussies’ brains as a pretty eye-opening depiction of horse racing events.Soaliha DaveEmily Amelia Hannah
sorry but going to the races is actually the most fucking embarrassing thing ever. find god
— Isabella Corbett FKA Australia’s Girlfriend (@bonsoyflatwhite) October 30, 2022
