Blinkers student races: Neigh horsing around

Several times every year hundreds of students from Newcastle University head to the races. It's a day for drinking, betting, and dancing. What more could you want? However, beneath the dressed-up glamour of it all lies the truth about the races, what it represents and how it treats its horses. 

In 2015 The North East Chronicle came out with the headline "Racecourse blamed for 'devastating' death of horse" summarising the pivotal ethical issues that everyone should consider when attending the races. In the article, a horse breeder from Saltburn took legal action against Newcastle Racecourse after holes in the ground of the racecourse were found. The ARC, operators of the racecourse, were fined £4,500 by the British Horseracing Authority. Horses dying at the races is not a rare occurrence. According to Racecourse Death Watch, in 2021 Newcastle had the 3rd highest amount of horse fatalities.  While many may see the horses as strong and healthy, many are overworked, drugged, and abused. An article from Horse Racing Sense writes that, "Some racehorses are well taken care of – they live in comfortable facilities and receive outstanding treatment. But many horses are treated poorly; these animals are drugged, overworked, and generally abused."

Of course, there are benefits to horse racing. Economically, it provides jobs for feed companies, farm workers, trainers, and grooms. Additionally, in a time of a climate crisis horse racing could be seen as one of the more environmentally friendly sports. Despite stories of abusive treatment towards the horses being more frequent than expected, there are many horse owners who lovingly care for their horses, with many healthy horses receiving well-balanced diets, having veterinary and dental care, and getting to partake in racing and playing with other horses.

With many of Newcastle students attending Blinkers races being generation Z, the progressive generation that protests for better environmental legislation from governments and for better animal and human rights protection, they may find themselves questioning their own hypocrisy. Therefore, the simple action of attending the races (which I personally have done) could be seen as ironic considering what the money we are spending could be funding; potential over-working of horses and what could be debated as unethical treatment of the horses.  

At the end of the day, it is everyone’s choice as to what they spend their money towards, however it is important that everyone is aware of what their money may be later spent on.