It’s time for the fashion industry to stop funding the exploitation and slaughter of racing horses.
We’re proud to launch our industry initiative:
FASHION
STANDING
WITH HORSES
Why is horse racing cruel?
You might be aware of the use of cruel whips or incidences of horses dying on tracks – this is just the beginning of the cruelty facing horses in the racing industry.
Learn more.
What does fashion have to do with it?
The horse racing industry is offered social license and funding by the fashion industry, which normalises and even glamourises exploiting animals for the sake of gambling and profit.
How can we help create change?
You can help by contacting brands and racing sponsors to ask them to join our initiative. Every voice speaking up for a total ethics fashion system is important and valuable.
We’ve made significant progress, but more can be done.
At least 139 horses were killed on Australian racetracks in the last racing year –
At least 139 horses were killed on Australian racetracks in the last racing year –
Campaign win: we asked for your help calling on MYER to stop sponsoring cruelty to horses, and now they have.
The once famed Melbourne Cup event now has no fashion partner.
Horse racing continues across the world. Find your local event and explore what companies sponsor it. Politely invite fashion brand sponsors to move forward and end their support for cruelty, by sharing this page and information with them.
*Deathwatch statistic: Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses
The Final Race
An investigation into the horse racing industry and its ‘retirement plan’, which sees horses not bringing in betting dollars killed in knackeries.
Learn more at Farm Transparency Project
Fashion brands standing with horses
-
A.BCH
“A.BCH proudly supports the Fashion Standing with Horses campaign. There are plenty of exciting and interesting ways to be social and celebrate fashion that do not involve the outdated and consumption driven notion of horse racing and the harm that is caused by them. We hope that the fashion and wider community can build new, kinder traditions for a better future where these beautiful creatures are treated with the kindness and respect they deserve.”
-
A_C
“Our bags are designed with animals and the planet in mind. We don’t support the excessive waste that is involved with these kinds of events and are vehemently against the cruelty behind horse racing. We believe the cost of an animal’s life is worth more than this.”
-
David Jones
In 2021, David Jones confirmed with the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses that they will no longer sponsor horse racing and have not done so since being a major sponsor of the 2019 Spring Racing Carnival.
“It’s not for David Jones to comment on political issues, but for a few years now we have thought of this season more in terms of occasions rather than spring racing.”
-
Lois Hazel
“Although I can’t control how my clothing is worn after my customers buy it, it would be very hypocritical of me to dress someone for the races. I would probably turn them down.”
-
Luna and Sun
"I strongly believe no person or animal should be exploited for fashion and being a cruelty-free label was something very important to me when starting my label. We choose not to support any events in which animals are being exploited which is why we stand with Collective Fashion Justice and we don't support horse racing".
-
Sans Beast
“At Sans Beast, we are proud to support the Fashion Standing with Horses initiative. I was someone who attended Melbourne Cup events in the past + participated in the frivolity of the days, not thinking of the cost to the horses. I believe it’s within all of us to create ethical, fun + social interactions, without the need to exploit animals – the time has come to open our collective eyes + realise the cost of horse racing is far too high for these intelligent, beautiful beings.”
-
Twoobs
"While we completely understand the allure of a fun day with friends in fancy dress, at TWOOBS we would love to encourage people to dig a little deeper when it comes to Spring Racing Carnival, and recognise that the beautiful bells and whistles are just a distraction for what is truly a very sad and exploitative event."
-
Velvety
“… after learning about the cruelty and slaughter that happens behind the scenes, I cannot silently sit back and enjoy a public holiday knowing the impact this day has on thousands of horses in Australia. This is why we are saying a big fat NUP to the Melbourne Cup.”
FAQs
-
The horse racing industry works hard to hide the cruelty of racing. While whips, jiggers, and bits are used to coerce, control, and manipulate horses, the industry claims they don’t harm the horses in any way, but this is blatantly false. The incentive of fashion and competition at the carnival attempts to distract from and appeal to consumers who don’t necessarily attend the events for the racing alone. Learn more about horse racing cruelty.
-
We are grateful for every brand which signs up in support of our Fashion Standing with Horses initiative, which is only growing. It’s important to note though, that such brands may still be using cow skin leather, other animal-derived materials, or unjust labour practices. As a result, such brands would not be free from harm.
We invite brands called to protect horses to also protect other life, and to connect with us for assistance in aligning with total ethics fashion. -
Thank you for standing with horses! Brands that do not affiliate themselves with, sponsor, promote or market any horse racing are able to join our Fashion Standing with Horses initiative, and can do so by contacting us.
Brands involved will be featured on our campaign website, invited to offer quotes for press releases to media, and given assets to promote their positive position with their communities. -
If you’ve already sent MYER an email through our form, please consider taking the time to phone their offices and politely ask them to end their promotion, sponsorship and affiliation with horse racing.
Another fantastic way to help is by reaching out to brands you love and asking them to join our Fashion Standing with Horses initiative. The more brands on board, the stronger the message we send: cruelty is out of fashion.Finally, please share our campaign page and social posts online within your community!
Horse racing cruelty and fashion in the news
-
Gen Z, spring racing and the elephant in the room
“I am for degendering fashion, but it’s almost rainbow-washing because they understand being progressive and inclusive is something young people care about ... and instead of facing the [welfare] issue head on, they think this will appeal to the woke generation … so this feels like a strange Band-Aid approach.”
-
Today, as many celebrate, Australia becomes a more dangerous place for women and children.
“The federal government’s 1800 RESPECT service noted a 17 per cent increase in demand during Melbourne Cup Day… The Australian Institute of Criminology states there is a higher number of reported domestic violence incidents on Melbourne Cup Day”
-
Abbie Chatfield slams celebrities attending Melbourne Cup
“The former Bachelor star is one of a growing number of (particularly young) people to condemn the race that stops the nation and its festivities, largely in part due to the issue of animal welfare and the emphasis the event places on gambling.”
-
Ambivalence towards horse racing leaves Melbourne Cup half full
“In recent years, … the meaning of the race has changed in people’s minds. It’s become controversial, associated with things people don’t want to be associated with, like animal cruelty, gambling problems and wealth disparity.”
-
The Melbourne Cup is falling out of fashion
“In their previous careers as influencers, sisters Stef and Jess Dadon were Melbourne Cup and racing regulars.
But now, in their second act as the owners and creative directors of Twoobs, a vegan footwear brand, they boycott the occasion – and are not afraid to say so.”
-
Melbourne Cup: how Australia's signature race lost its hold on the nation
“Anecdotal evidence suggests the tide may be turning among a broader public. Dozens … say they were … appalled by the cultural cringe of seeing dozens of well-dressed adults vomiting into port-a-loos at 2pm, describing the spectacle of horse racing as both insufferably stuffy and unbearably gauche.”
Our partner organisations
Keep learning
-
Cow skin leather
Horses and cows are not so different. If you’re dedicated to the protection of horses, consider how cows need protection, too. Millions of cows are slaughtered and skinned each year in the fashion industry.
-
Total ethics fashion
For fashion to be its best, it needs to hold total ethics, prioritising people, animals and the planet before profit. To learn more about our concept of ‘total ethics fashion’, read our primer.
-
Wool
Another species worth our consideration is sheep. These gentle creatures are exploited for their wool and skins in fashion, at the expense of their wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the planet.