The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia's most iconic annual sporting events. Some love the colour and spectacle of the first Tuesday in November when Melburnians get to enjoy a public holiday. But animal welfare campaigners loathe the event.
KEY POINTS
- Melbourne Cup is the most famous two-mile handicap race in the world and has a prize money of $8.4 million dollars. It attracts jockeys and international entrants from all around the world and it captures the hearts of the nation.
- According to the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, at least 168 horses were killed on Australian racetracks in the last racing year between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023.
- The animal welfare concerns are not deterring Australians from engaging with the Melbourne Cup. In fact, according to the Victoria Racing Club, young people are driving membership growth.
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