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Dear Supporter,
Well hasn't horse racing cruelty been in the headlines, with many thanks going to the industry themselves for completely underestimating the power of the people who will no longer be silent on matters of animal abuse. A pro-racing film premiere has been disrupted, a megastar has cancelled her gig and the media has again shown, for the most part, they are not afraid to call out this industry for the disgrace that it is. Coming into the 2019 Spring Racing Carnival, the scene has been set for strong country-wide opposition to the cruelest time of year on the racing calendar.
But first...
DEATHWATCH 2019
Our 2019 Deathwatch Report demonstrated (as predicted) that horses continue to be killed on racetracks across Australia at an average of 1 every 3 days. 122 horses were recorded by stewards or media as dying from race-related injuries, most commonly catastrophic front limb injury. 10 of those 122 indviduals were only two years old when they were killed. Most devastatingly, the actual true number of deaths would be much higher because:
1) deaths that occur after racing, away from the track, from race-related injuries are not required to be recorded in the stewards reports
2) NSW is the only state where stewards record deaths in trials
3) deaths that occur in training are not required to be recorded anywhere
4) it is becoming more common for horses to be taken away from the track to be killed later to avoid their death being recorded in the stewards reports
The deaths are so high and so irrelevant to the industry 17 of the 122 horses were still listed as ‘active’ on the Racing Australia website at the time of writing, even though some have been dead for almost a year. Read the full report and see our video tribute to those killed here.
TAYLOR PULLS A SWIFTY
Social media exploded on the announcement that Taylor Swift had agreed to perform at this year's Melbourne Cup, and not in the way the industry had hoped. The backlash was huge, as Swift fans took to Twitter telling the superstar how disappointed they were that she was supporting such a cruel event. They cited CPR reports on wastage, deaths on track (especially the six horse deaths at the past six Melbourne Cups) and the many other abuses suffered by horses in this industry.
Our petition calling on the artist to say #NupToTheCup quickly attracted well over 6,000 signatures and mainstream and independent media joined in the chorus, challenging why the self-professed animal lover would make such a conflicting decision.
The pressure on Taylor Swift to cancel was significant, and it worked. Whilst the reason used by the racing industry was a scheduling mix up, it appears to us (and the rest of the world) that she responded to the pressure. Taylor would certainly be much more aware of the cruel reality of horse racing than she was a few weeks ago. People spoke and she listened.
Here's Peter Ford's take on the saga.
We will be keeping a close eye out for whether another artist is announced to perform at the day which is widely becoming known as a national disgrace. No one should be supporting this event which depends on the abuse and suffering of horses.
Just this week, Kelly Rowland was confirmed to be performing at The Everest - the NSW answer to the Melbourne Cup. Please sign and share our petition here to help educate Kelly on the cruelty she is endorsing by taking this gig. Also, head on over to Twitter to let @KellyRowland know she should #PullASwifty.
CPR DISRUPTS RIDE LIKE A GIRL PREMIERE
 Last month, CPR supporters not only rallied outside the 'Ride Like A Girl' world premiere, several women successfully disrupted both the speeches of director Rachel Griffiths and jockey Michelle Payne, and later the film itself, chanting "Jockeys Choose, Horses Don't. Horse Racing Kills", once again attracting national media attention to the cruel reality of horse racing.
'Ride Like A Girl' is Griffiths' directorial debut. Her film is centred around jockey Michelle Payne, famous for being the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Her 2015 win was on Darren Weir trained Prince of Penzance.
The film premiered just months after Darren Weir was banned from racing for 4 years for torturing horses with electric shock devices, an action jockeys must be complicit in to have the desired effect.
'Ride Like A Girl' is a film based on glorifying a woman for excelling in what has long been a male-dominated animal abuse industry. There is nothing to celebrate when women receive accolades for excelling in postions of animal abuse historically reserved for men.
We would like to thank those who rallied outside the cinema raising awareness and the brave women who went inside to distrupt the event.
See our disruption here.
JUMPS WRAP UP
 
Hero's Honor killed at Gawler
The most shocking scenes were witnessed at jumps racing events across Victoria and South Australia this year. We can confirm that six horses were killed. However, considering half of those deaths were not even mentioned in stewards' reports (we were simply fortunate enough to find out), the real number would be much higher. A witness to the death of 7-year-old Super Haze at Warrnambool on July 7 stated:
"It took about ten minutes to kill him, and it broke my heart to watch. His leg, swinging wildly, appeared to hang from a piece of skin. He suffered; agony, shock, terror. He fought against his death. He wanted to live. May he rest in peace. I will never forget what I saw".
Like much of the season, the whole day was carnage - view here.
1 in every 30 horses forced to race in the 2019 jumps season was killed on track.
10 year old Tangra was forced to race in jumps 18 times this season - that's once almost every week. He took a shocking fall on July 13 and there he was just one week later being forced over jumps again where he nose-dived but managed to recover. He was raced more than any other horse this season, pushed extremely hard for gambling profits.
The usual nonsense occured at the tracks where police officers and security teams were used to try to prevent activists from filming races, yet the industry continues to claim transparency. Scenes such as that of Super Haze, and last year's shocking footage of the death of Sleep'n Pete (view here), do not play well for an industry hellbent on keeping jumps racing going, irrelevant of huge public opposition.
RIP Monarch Chimes, Blues Breaker, Big Bad Baz, Super Haze, Hero's Honor, John's Revenge and many other victims of the 2019 jumps racing season who will have simply vanished, never to be seen again.
WIN PRIZES! HELP HORSES!
Help us raise much-needed funds to super size our Spring Carnival campaign.
The horse racing industry is a juggernaut when it comes to advertising the cruel Spring Carnival. Their well-oiled marketing machine often convinces even the most passionate animal lovers that attending the races is a fun day out that does not contribute to animal abuse. We all know that is an absolute lie. Help us make sure everyone else knows that too.
All proceeds raised will go towards our Spring Racing Carnival campaigning efforts.
Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $15. Ticket sales close late on October 11 and prizes will be drawn on October 13. For details on all the wonderful prizes and how to purchase tickets, go to our Facebook event here or email us here.
Special thanks to Courtney Elise Tattoo, Monique's Hair & Beauty Studio, Hello Friends Food and Vegan Perfection for their support.
Good luck everyone!
RUN YOUR OWN NUP TO THE CUP!
 Spring is here. That means blue skies, flowering plants, green grass - and extra cruelty to horses.
It also means Australia's biggest horse racing event is not far away. Strong marketing campaigns over many decades have meant the Melbourne Cup has made its way into countless workplaces and homes across the country to people who would otherwise never watch or listen to a horse race.
Although that is tragic, it is also a wonderful opportunity to boycott horse racing by saying #NupToTheCup.
There are so many ways you could get involved. If you are a business you could run a Nup To The Cup event or inhouse promotion. Individuals could host their own Nup To The Cup parties. If you are at work, you could ensure the office boycotts the race by running an alternative cruelty-free activity.
We can help you promote your event or business offering too. Just fill out this form and it is done. If you are stuck for ideas email us here to chat. For inspiration, check out what others have done over previous years and get cracking.
Just looking for a Nup To The Cup to attend in your region? Keep an eye on our page dedicated to Nup To The Cup events across the country here.
Let's make the first Tuesday of November a party FOR the animals!
NUP TO THE CUP! CPR'S OFFICIAL MELBOURNE CUP PROTEST AND PICNIC! Opposite Flemington Racecourse.
For the 4th year running, we are teaming up with Tenfingerz to bring you... 'FASHUNS ON THE FIELD'. Bringing together two of Melbourne's favourite pastimes - fashion and sport, we deliver to you a free alternative to the old 'race that stops a nation', to say 'NUP TO THE CUP!'
Come protest the cup! And show regular racegoers what cruelty free fun looks like. Come witness the fabulously fashionable competitors as they battle it out for the grand prize or enter and compete for the grandest prizes yourself!
Fashun races will happen from midday - 4pm.
The main event - THE HUMAN RACE - will be live streamed at the same time as the official Melbourne Cup.
4-6pm music + dancing + protest
More information on registering to race coming soon! Cash prizes to be won.
Family friendly!
Cruelty free!
BYO picnic rug or chairs!
No fur!
No leather jackets!
No feathers!
No meat lunches!
No cruelty!
Are you a band, DJ, performer? Would you like to lend your time to the cause? Get in contact with Tengingerz because we would love to have you play.
When: Tuesday 5 November 2019
Where: Newmarket Reserve - Cnr Smithfield Road & Epsom Road, Kensington Vic
Time: 10am - 6pm
What to bring: Food & drinks will be available to purchase or feel free to bring your own plant-based picnic
Dress: Dress up! But don't feel obliged to.
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
CAN YOU HELP IN NEW ZEALAND OR AUSTRALIA?
 If any of the below roles are of interest and you have the skills, dedication, and availability required, please complete our volunteer application form here or email us here.
Campaigns Assistant
Ban Jumps Racing Campaign Manager
Writers' Group Coordinator
Social Media Assistant
Video Editors
Graphic Designers
Fundraising Team Members
Race Day Photographers/Videographers
UPCOMING RALLIES - ALL WELCOME
Protest 'The Everest'
When: Saturday 19 October 2019
Where: Royal Randwick Racecourse - Alison Road, Randwick NSW
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
What to bring: Refreshments, umbrella, and sunscreen if required/desired
Dress: Neat casual, or if you can, semi-formal (as if you were going to the races)
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
Caulfield Cup Protest
When: Saturday 19 October 2019
Where: Caulfield Racecourse - Station Street, Caulfield East Vic
Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
What to bring: Refreshments, umbrella, and sunscreen if required/desired
Dress: Neat casual, or if you can, semi-formal (as if you were going to the races)
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
Derby Day Protest
When: Saturday 2 November 2019
Where: Flemington Racecourse - 448 Epsom Road, Flemington Vic
Time: 11am - 1pm
What to bring: Refreshments, umbrella, and sunscreen if required/desired
Dress: Neat casual, or if you can, semi-formal (as if you were going to the races)
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
Peninsula Cup Protest
When: Sunday 3 November 2019
Where: Mornington Racecourse - 320 Racecourse Road, Mornington Vic
Time: 11am - 1:30pm
What to bring: Refreshments, umbrella, and sunscreen if required/desired
Dress: Neat casual, or if you can, semi-formal (as if you were going to the races)
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
Protest at the Melbourne Cup Eve Parade
When: Monday 4 November 2019
Where: Corner of Swanston & Flinders Street, Melbourne Vic
Time: 11am - 1pm
What to bring: Refreshments, umbrella, and sunscreen if required/desired
Dress: Neat casual, or if you can, semi-formal (as if you were going to the races)
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
Protest Melbourne Cup Day at Ascot Perth
When: Tuesday 5 November 2019
Where: Ascot Racecourse - 70 Grandstand Road, Ascot WA
Time: 9am - 2pm
What to bring: Refreshments, umbrella, and sunscreen if required/desired
Dress: Neat casual, or if you can, semi-formal (as if you were going to the races)
More Info and RSVP (not essential): Facebook, our website or via email at enquiries@horseracingkills.com
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