University College Cork Students’ Union (UCCSU) have voted to ban advertising for student race days as it “promotes animal rights abuse and gambling”.

Students can still attend horse races, but UCCSU will not facilitate the promotion of any horse racing events or sell tickets from the union.  

UCCSU made this decision at a council meeting of over 600 student representatives.  

Union President Asha Woodhouse told Lunchtime Live that the ban was introduced on the basis that the Union already has a ban of greyhound racing advertising.  

"Inhumane"

Ms Woodhouse said student representatives thought horse racing was “inhumane”.  

“Some people have the belief that it promotes animal rights abuse and gambling,” she said. 

The motion was introduced by one student and supported by members of the UCC Vegan Society.  

UCCSU has not promoted horse racing in several years, Ms Woodhouse explained, but “students wanted to have a concrete position on it”.  

“We represent students of all views, and we welcome further debate,” she said.

Ban Bloodsports spokesperson Aideen Yourell said research shows that racehorses are killed in races or slaughtered when they are no longer required.  

According to recent figures from the Department of Agriculture, 13,484 thoroughbred horses were slaughtered between 2016 and 2022. 

244 racehorses have been killed so far this year.  

“I’m sure they look after them very well up until the time they're no longer of any use to them,” Ms Yourell said, “Like looking after your car and maintaining it.” 

“No one can force a horse to race”

Councillor for Rathfarnham-Templeogue David McManus said UCCSU’s ban sounds like “20 people in a room making a decision without consultation”. 

“If you own an Irish racehorse and you don’t look after it, you will lose the race,” he said.  

Cllr McManus said that "no one can force a horse to race".

"Irish racehorses enjoy races, you’ll see two horses in a field racing."

The Dublin Councillor said the Irish Horse Welfare Trust receives €500,000 in Government support for equine welfare.  

He also said gambling is not a problem specific to horse racing: “Gambling is regulated, like alcohol.”  

“People need to be responsible - people go to races and never bet.” 

NUIG Vegan Society member Jenna told the show that the horse racing industry is simply “a cruel industry”. 

“Animals shouldn’t be used for our entertainment just because we can,” she said.  

“Humans put themselves above others just because we’re more cognitively advanced. We're animals too at the end of the day.”