‘They Don’t Know What They’re Talking About’: Top Trainer Refutes Animal Welfare Criticism

Horse racing’s popularity is rising throughout Australia, as evidenced by the 285,000 supporters who attended Melbourne Cup Carnival Week. Still, the sport continues to attract criticism over alleged animal welfare issues.
Victoria Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day were both at near-capacity, with respective crowds of 81,612 and 91,168 going through the turnstiles at the Flemington venue on both occasions.
Across the week, 45 percent of general admission ticket buyers were under the age of 35.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival also generates jobs, with more than 14,000 accredited staff in 2024.
The event delivered more than $468 million in gross economic benefit in 2023, a figure expected to be exceeded by this year’s Carnival when final numbers are compiled over the coming months.
“We saw hundreds of thousands race through the gates at Flemington and pack our hotels, retailers, cafes and restaurants across the city—pumping millions into the local economy and bringing Melbourne alive,” Victorian Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines said.
“The Carnival not only featured the best in thoroughbred racing, fashion and entertainment, but also highlighted the vibrant spirit of Melbourne as the premier events destination.”
However, horse trainers are mindful of the criticism their sport receives from an animal welfare perspective.
There remains a movement that opposes the industry, with social media group #NuptotheCup expanding its reach.
Starting initially as a petition in 2010 to draw attention to the mistreatment of horses, the campaign is now calling for the Melbourne Cup to be shut down entirely, with these activists citing animal cruelty, both on and off the track.
In the past decade, six horses have died in the Melbourne Cup race and seven in total on Cup Day.
“The causes of death for racehorses on Australian racetracks include heart attack, severe trauma to head and mouth, fractured pelvis, fractured shoulder, internal bleeding, suspensory rupture in both front legs, fracture of the humerus, shattered carpus, carpal fracture,” the report says.
The report also states that euthanasia has not been administered to some racehorses who have sustained on-track injuries over the past year.
“If a racehorse has suffered injuries and is suffering pain, immediate euthanasia is in the best interest of the animal’s welfare,” CPR says.
“This racing year, a large increase in horses who sustained an injury during a race were not euthanised on track—CPR has noted several of such cases.
The Moorooduc-based conditioner was almost moved to tears when his three-year-old Treasurethe Moment won the $1 million Crown Oaks by a comfortable 1.25 lengths at Flemington on Nov. 7.
He said he put in 20 years of hard work to put his medium-sized stable in a position to compete in a Group 1 race.
The Victorian conditioner added he considered himself lucky to be allocated the talented staying filly Treasurethe Moment by top breeders, Yulong Stud, and that animal welfare was at the forefront of their powerful operation.
“They’ve invested heavily in the Australian breeding and racing industry. They’ve done it very professionally and we’re all very lucky to have them on board,” Laurie told The Epoch Times.
“[Yulong stud owner Yuesheng Zhang] has an incredible passion, and we’re all better off for it.”
Yulong’s website says that the health and wellbeing of its horses are paramount, and its experienced staff are supported by a dedicated team of full-time veterinarians and vet nurses.
Its five main farms—in Victoria’s prime thoroughbred country on the banks of the Goulburn River—have undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years.
A state-of-the-art stallion complex, world-class yearling preparation facility, and bespoke foaling units have been added, all encompassed in 4,000 acres of irrigated pasture.
“This ensures all Yulong horses receive a high-level of round the clock care, from newborn foal to retiree,” the company says.
“Yulong’s veterinary amenities extend to tailored examination areas, x-ray boxes, and an on-site intensive care unit at our Hillside property, whilst leading veterinary practices Avenel Equine Hospital and Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital are only a short drive away.”
Laurie said he has also spent an extensive amount of time and money on caring for his horses, about 50 of which are on his property.
“We have 30-odd acres in Moorooduc. We can offer a lot of paddock time to horses in training, nice big stables and walkers, treadmills, dressage arena,” he said.
“We have a sand track out here as well. So this, in conjunction with what’s on offer at Mornington Racecourse, is a pretty good recipe.”
As for the continual criticism his industry receives from people who believe horse racing is animal cruelty, Laurie said he did not let the thoughts of a minority influence his work as a trainer.
“It’s just a nonsense. They come out of the woodwork at a certain time of the year and they don’t know what they’re talking about,” he said.
“Anyone who takes them seriously doesn’t know either. We’re a solid industry and we’re all in it for the horses.
“It’s the reason why we’ve dedicated our lives to it. You don’t need a minority to tell us otherwise.”
Meanwhile, Treasurethe Moment has been given a break before she enters some lucrative Autumn Carnival races in Sydney next year.
The filly has just completed a five-race preparation, winning four of those starts.
“She’s a lovely horse and I’m looking forward to the autumn. She’s on a well-deserved break,” he said.