The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has stated that it will not yield to pressure from the animal rights organization Animal Rising, which has pledged to cease its summer demonstrations if the BHA participates in a televised discussion concerning the “morality of horse racing.”
The BHA’s chief executive, Julie Harrington, asserted that the association would not be “forced” into a televised discussion. Harrington stated: “In a press release today, Animal Rising has declared that they will terminate their protests this summer if British horseracing consents to engaging in a public debate on the ‘ethics of horse racing’. We will never permit British horseracing to be intimidated into any action by threats of protest.”
Animal Rising issued the statement in a press release earlier today (June 16). Harrington claimed that Animal Rising’s protests at the 2023 Epsom Derby – which the BHA last week labeled “reckless and hazardous” – demonstrated that their public pronouncements were not trustworthy.
She continued: “Animal Rising’s irresponsible actions at the Epsom Derby reveal that their public commitments are not reliable. They have shown they are willing to engage in potentially illegal activity and directly endanger the safety of horses and individuals in order to advance their broader objectives.”
Harrington further stated that racing representatives have “taken part in more than an hour of televised discussions” since April, and reiterated their commitment to promoting and advancing horse racing.
“I strongly encourage the Animal Rising group to stop their irresponsible actions against a pastime legally enjoyed by millions annually.”
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