The Melbourne Cup has long been called the race that stops the nation, but the public opinion of the annual horse race seems to be shifting.
Australia’s most famous annual Thoroughbred horse race, the Cup is hosted on the first Tuesday of November each year.
It used to mean dressing up in frocks and fascinators, knocking off work early and buying into the office betting pool in the hopes of pocketing a little extra cash.
But in recent years animal rights groups have raised some very important questions about the ethics of horse racing and the treatment of the animals involved.
Racehorses can suffer from serious injuries, ailments and may even die as a result of training and racing, according to PETA Australia.
.jpg?resize=380%2C285)
Many horses injured on race tracks or in training are euthanised, and the animal rights organisation claims others are “over-medicated” to keep them racing while injured.
Jockeys often use whips to urge their horses on while racing, while some have even been accused of and charged with animal cruelty over their training methods.
While the Victoria Racing Club and other horse racing groups in Australia reject many of these claims, it’s definitely food for thought.
And with the conversation about the ethics of horse racing growing in Australia, many people have decided to opt out of the Melbourne Cup festivities this year.
That includes a number of Aussie stars who have chosen to publicly say “Nup” to the Cup in 2021.
Keep reading to see all the celebrities who won’t be celebrating the Melbourne Cup this year.
Abbie Chatfield
The former Bachelor and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here star quietly shared an anti-Melbourne Cup post to her Instagram story, which read “It’s a neigh from me.”
Angie Kent
Another former Bachie and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here icon, Angie shared the same post as Abbie saying “neigh” to the event.
Jodhi Meares
TV personality and fashion designer Jodhi took to Instagram with a slideshow of the horses who have sadly died at the Melbourne Cup since 2002.
“Melbourne Cup Day is not a celebration, it’s a memorial. Please pay your respects by acknowledging them and saying #NupToTheCup,” she wrote.
Susie Porter
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.
David Campbell
“Saying Nup to the Cup by running ourselves around this beautiful city. Have a safe day,” David Campbell wrote alongside this snap of himself with wife Lisa.
