Royal Ascot – All glam up front but behind the scenes is animal suffering

British Racing’s international showcase, Royal Ascot, takes place this week (20-24 June), in which the ‘best’ race horses from around the world compete for the ultimate racing prizes.

Yet, behind the façade of glamour and money, and away from Ascot, is a vast number of horses who race to win next to nothing and are soon used up and thrown out into the wider world without compassion or hope.

Despite racing’s rhetoric about their positive horse welfare record, Animal Aid has, over many years, exposed the truth and reality of horse racing. From horses killed on racecourses (including at Royal Ascot), to horses being ruthlessly beaten with the whip, to the killing and slaughter of horses after their careers are over. Even the ‘successful’ race horses who go onto become stallions and broodmares – many of whom will have raced at Royal Ascot – will experience cruelty.

Says Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall:

‘Horse racing is ruthless enough to its ‘winners’ but for those of lesser ability it is a dark place from which many horses never emerge. The gross extravaganza at Royal Ascot cannot disguise the truth that Animal Aid has frequently exposed about this industry. It’s an animal industry like any other, built on misery and suffering. A glamorous day out can’t hide that fact.’

Notes for Editors

For more information contact Animal Aid on 01732 364546  info@animalaid.org.uk

• Race Horse Death Watch
• Irish Horse Death Watch
• Horse Racing – Animal Aid