Gai Waterhouse rips into ‘woke’ anti-horse racing protesters: ‘Most of them are on the dole’
Aussie track icon Gai Waterhouse rips into ‘awakened’ anti-horse racing protesters for continuing with a ‘load of rubbish’: ‘Most of them have been abandoned’
- Trainer in furious spray against protesters
- Aussie racing has seen a lot of protests lately
- Waterhouse wants the industry to stand up for itself
Legendary race trainer Gai Waterhouse has been furious with activists protesting the sport, accusing them of being full of “crap” and living on benefits.
The 68-year-old winner of seven Sydney premierships insists that racing should counter the ‘misinformed’ protesters by telling how well-treated horses are.
‘Most of them are on welfare, they don’t understand [the sport],’ she said Racing net.
“In this waking age that we live in, everyone should stick to this word of waking up, it’s a load of nonsense.
Waterhouse (pictured with jockey Jordan Childs in Flemington on March 25) has taken a beating from activists accusing the racing industry of mistreating and killing horses
Aussie track legend wants the sport to take protesters head-on by proclaiming the industry cares about horses
“We have to stand up and say this is a very vital sport that employs millions of people around the world.
There are casualties in all sports. I don’t care if you’re a football player, there are casualties – and horse racing is no different.
“Racehorses are treated like athletes and trained accordingly.”
Aussie activists have staged several dramatic protests at race rallies in recent years.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup parade saw large numbers of protesters chanting ‘racing kills’ and carrying placards with pictures of dead horses.
The ‘Nup to the Cup’ campaign also focused on the world-famous event, leading some critics to label it as the ‘race that divides the nation’ rather than the ‘race that stops the nation’.
Animal activists demonstrate at the 2022 Melbourne Cup parade – one of many protests to hit the Australian racing industry in recent years
Nup to the Cup communications director Kristin Leigh stressed that more and more people are getting tired of seeing horses being exploited for financial gain.
“Melbourne Cup is often seen as a day when we come together and celebrate, but what we celebrate is wrong,” she said.
“In the past 10 years, eight horses have died at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day from injuries sustained.
“Because recovery is expensive, time consuming and very difficult for a horse, they will just euthanize them on the track.”
In 2021, notorious vegan activist Tash Peterson yelled at race-goers attending Perth’s Ascot Cup while dressed in a shirt that read ‘You Bet, They Die’.
Notorious activist Tash Peterson posed as a race-goer at the 2021 Ascot Cup in Perth before wearing a T-shirt that read ‘You Bet, They Die’ and yelling at members of the public
Flemington track was sabotaged hours before last year’s Melbourne Cup when at least two protesters sprayed an oily liquid on the track
“All these gentle creatures will be brutally murdered,” she screamed.
“These beautiful, innocent creatures. You bet, they die.
“You paid for their murder, their blood on your hands.”
And last year, Flemington’s track was sabotaged hours before the Melbourne Cup was due to start because at least two people sprayed a dark, oily liquid over the track.
Waterhouse also slammed protesters when she attended an event in Sydney last week.
“People have become so weak and prudish these days, instead of being strong and loving the industry that we love,” she said.
‘She [protesters] shouldn’t be allowed at the races.
“Nobody says anything about car racing or water polo or high diving. There are casualties in all those sports.’
Her comments came after militant animal rights activists stormed Britain’s Grand National race by posing as fans.
Police arrested 118 people when at least two protesters reached the track and tried to attach themselves to one of the jumps on the track.