New Zealand has finally banned greyhound racing on animal-welfare grounds — a move widely welcomed as long overdue. But as the country celebrates that progress, animal advocates are asking: why is horse racing still exempt from the same moral scrutiny?

A coalition of animal-rights groups — Christchurch Animal Save – Whakaorangia kararehe o Ōtautahi and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses NZ (CPR) — will gather outside Riccarton Racecourse this Saturday for their annual ‘Nup to the Cup’ protest, calling for an end to an industry increasingly criticised for animal-welfare concerns.

Their action coincides with growing national discussion, including on RNZ, about whether horse racing still aligns with New Zealand’s values. Recent RNZ reporting revealed that 15 horses died and more than 300 were injured on New Zealand racetracks in the past year.

“Every one of these deaths was avoidable,” said Nick Hancock, spokesperson for the New Zealand branch of the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses. “Pushing horses beyond their physical limits for human profit is cruelty, plain and simple. We should not accept this as the price of entertainment.”

A 2022 Animal Aid poll found that 71% of people believe it is always wrong to cause animals pain and suffering — a principle many New Zealanders share. Yet the racing industry continues to normalise practices such as whipping, tongue-tying and over-breeding, while thousands of “wastage” horses disappear once they are no longer profitable.

“Cup Week is marketed as glamour and celebration,” said Sarah Jackson, spokesperson for Christchurch Animal Save. “But behind the glitz and glam lies a shocking industry built on normalised animal abuse. We tend to focus on the party — not the victims.”

“Every ticket sold, every bet placed, supports animal abuse,” Jackson added. “Racehorses are stripped of freedom from birth, forced to perform under threat of the whip, and discarded once they’re no longer profitable. This industry has no retirement plan — only wastage and so-called ‘euthanasia’.”

The protest comes days after international concern over the Melbourne Cup, where the winning horse was seen bleeding from the mouth during the race — a stark reminder of the cruelty that persists and why animal advocates refer to horse racing as a ‘bloodsport’.

Another attendee, Rebekah Share, said: “The vast majority of people believe cruelty towards animals is wrong — so why do we keep accepting it when it’s dressed up as entertainment?”

Event details:
Outside Riccarton Racecourse Motor Lodge, Ōtautahi Christchurch
Saturday 15 November 2025, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Formal attire encouraged | Peaceful protest | Signage provided

Members of the public are invited to attend and stand in solidarity with the horses that suffer for the sake of gambling and entertainment.

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