Issues arising from the holding of
the Melbourne Cup and from horse racing generally
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Animal welfare |
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Horse
racing must change, or the court of public opinion will bury it (theconversation.com)
22 Oct 2019
Thoroughbred racehorses are already
documented from the day they are born through to the end of their racing
career.
To prevent subsequent mistreatment, this monitoring needs to
continue from when they stop racing through to their death, Professor Phil
McManus from the University of Sydney says. (For image source, see
article.)
It's not just about your feelings, okay? The best end for a racehorse might
be the knackery (theconversation.com)
25 Oct 2019
Calling for enforcement of an outright ban on retired racehorses
being sent to an abattoir or the knackery for slaughter might make some
people feel good.
However, making more of these horses live to an old age
could cause more suffering than a properly managed earlier death, PhD
candidate Cathrynne Henshall says. (For image source see
article.)
The ugly side of the Melbourne Cup (news.com.au) 2014
Many race horses suffer injuries and many are not euthanased at the earliest
opportunity when they should be.
And what happens to the horses when they
are retired from racing? Animal rights activists and Racing Victoria give
their views.
Whipping
doesn't make horses run faster or safer
(theconversation.com) 30 Oct 2020 Four researchers say
whipping horses makes no difference to horses' speed, horse steering or
jockey safety.
BTN: Horse Whipping
(abc.net.au) 22 Sep 2009 There are differences of opinion over whether whips hurt
horses, and even over whether they are really effective anyway.
Horse Whip
(abc.net.au)
24 Mar 2015 ABC program Catalyst takes a medical and scientific
approach to examining the issue of whipping race horses.
The dark side of the Melbourne Cup (archived
from johnkaye.org.au)
1 Nov 2013
In this speech presented in the NSW Legislative Council,
Greens politician John Kaye argues that the Melbourne Cup perpetuates:
- the social harms caused by gambling, and
- the exploitation of horses, with "appalling animal welfare outcomes".
Gear worn by horses in the Melbourne Cup (theconversation.com)
5 Nov 2018 An
illustrated outline of the various types of gear worn by Melbourne Cup
horses. Some are for safety (such as boots and bandages) while there is
controversy over others (such as tongue ties). .
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Children and gambling |
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Maths and English program may prevent teens from developing gambling problem
(smh.com.au)
13 Oct 2014
Included in the story is information from the Responsible
Gambling Foundation that "about 3-4 per cent of teenagers could already be
classified as 'problem gamblers'."
Spoof KidBet ad mocks sports betting advertising (theage.com.au)
9 Oct 2013
A mock betting advertisement features in a new campaign drawing attention to
the increased exposure of teenagers and other young people to gambling
advertisements on television.
Cup
sweeps a gambling risk for young: welfare group (ABC News) 5 Nov 2007
An ABC news report which states that (at least one
state's) Education Department guidelines require parental permission before
children can become involved in Melbourne Cup sweeps.
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Economic and social downside
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Spring
Racing Carnival glamour hides dark side of problem gambling
(abc.net.au) 26 Oct 2017
Substantial numbers of people who bet on the horses gamble more money thasn
they can afford to lose.
Melbourne Cup: Should you really be celebrating? (hcamag.com)
4 Nov 2013
From the perspective of employers,
it needs to be remembered that Melbourne Cup workplace activities have the
potential to lower productivity and to be offensive to some employees.
For
example, employees can be opposed to the Cup on the basis of:
- family and religious valuess
- animal rights considerations, andd
- the general association with gambling and alcoholl
See also Animal welfare below.
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Economic benefits |
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Melbourne Cup a winner for national economy (thenewdaily.com.au)
30 Oct 2014
What are the economic benefits of Australia's biggest
horseracing event?
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Social licence |
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Why horse-racing in Australia needs a social licence to operate
(theconversation.com) 3 Nov 2017 Presents infographics on the
advantages and disadvantages of the horse-racing industry.
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See also our Gambling education page, and
Gambling activities with a Melbourne Cup
focus
To Melbourne Cup main
page
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