Leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski has called for a ban on horse racing. According to LBC, Polanski has advocated for a ban on the sport back in 2024. “Let’s go further and remove all animals involved in sport,” he wrote on X in 2024. In addition to horse racing, he has also advocated for an end to all equestrian events at the Olympics.
“There’s something deeply wrong with society when this is considered a sport,” Polanski said, saying that it, along with “all forms of animal cruelty” should be banned.
YouGov polls found that around 38% of those asked supported a ban on horse racing, with the same number opposing it. 24% of those asked were undecided. The British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) has claimed that other polls show a significant support among the public for the sport to continue.
According to Strand Polling, 59% believe that the animals are treated well in the UK with 64% thinking that racing takes the welfare of the horses seriously and 60% believing that racing authorities are committed to improving the welfare standards.
Many who are against a ban not only believe it is an integral part of British culture, but say it is a key part of the British economy, contributing £4 billion every year. It is the second largest spectator sport in the country, supporting over 17,000 full-time jobs.
Polanski’s comments come ahead of the Grand National in Merseyside and just after the death of Gold Dancer at the Aintree Festival.
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