Epsom Derby Hit by Protests
The British Horseracing Authority has condemned the actions of an animal rights group that attempted to disrupt the Betfred Derby. Activists from Animal Rising were arrested after one protester managed to jump the fence and run onto the Epsom track. The man was quickly apprehended and the race was allowed to continue uninterrupted.
The Jockey Club won an injunction to stop protests ahead of the Derby Festival.
©Luis Negron/Pexels
Arrests Made
The British Horseracing Authority has criticized the attempts of protesters to disrupt the Betfred Derby. The flagship race took place on the second day of the Derby Festival, held at Epsom Downs. This year’s festival took place from June 2nd to June 3rd.
The Betfred Derby is the festival’s crowning jewel, attracting top jockeys and trainers from across the industry. With a prize pot worth £1,125 million, it is both Britain’s richest race and the most prestigious of the five classics. This year the race was won by Ryan Moore, who rode Auguste Rodin to victory.
It was the jockey’s third Derby win in a race that saw Frankie Dettori finish in tenth place on Arrest in his last Derby ride. Dettori, who has previously won the Derby twice, is due to retire this year. Moore’s victory could easily have never happened after animal rights activists threatened to spoil the race.
Protest group Animal Rising attempted to disrupt the race in protest of the sport it describes as “cruel and outdated”. The nonviolent group aims to drive social change towards animal rights and a plant-based food system. Its civil disobedience tactics, which have often resulted in members being arrested, are focused on systems rather than individuals.
On Saturday, a protester was dragged away from the track during the festival’s main event by police and security. Ben Newman, aged 32, of Hackney, east London, has since been charged with causing public nuisance by Surrey Police. A further thirty people were arrested in connection with the planned protest.
Twelve of these protesters were arrested on the grounds of the racecourse, while nineteen were arrested in a pre-emptive operation in the hours before the race began. Mr Newman is the only protester to be charged so far. The remaining thirty individuals have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Police Presence
During the week before the race, the Jockey Club won a High Court Injunction to prevent Animal Rising from disrupting the event. It had received advance warning from the activist group, which implored organizers to cancel the races altogether. In a final plea, spokesperson for Animal Rising Louisa Hillwood said:
“In a country of animal lovers, now is the time to come together and have a critical national conversation about our broken relationship with other animals and the natural world. That begins with the Jockey Club acting responsibly, cancelling the Derby, and safeguarding the horses in their care.”
Animal Rising asked race officials to follow the example of Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby. Following the death of twelve horses in recent weeks, it announced that it would be suspending races. The group also highlighted the refusal of Running Lion to ride in the Oaks race, after kicking the back gates of her stall open.
Despite the animal rights group’s best efforts, the festival went ahead as planned with extra security and a considerable police presence around the racecourse. It has been reported that the Jockey Club spent more than £300,000 on additional security and the injunction.
Ahead of the races, eleven people were arrested at addresses in nearby Mitcham and Byfleet. Eight more individuals were arrested after vehicles were stopped less than three miles away from the racecourse. Animal Rising accused police of being heavy-handed and using intimidation tactics. It said that the police operation included facial recognition cameras and at least three house raids.
Photos show damage to ten doors across the properties, including to unlocked internal doors. Additional damage to walls, brickwork and lighting fixtures was recorded. Despite this, the group said that such tactics would not deter activists from continuing in their fight.
Fear of Further Protests
The tight security was clear for all to see who attended the festival at Epsom Downs. Men who arrived in bowler hats were asked to remove them so that security could check if they were hiding anything. A new six-foot fence was erected around the perimeter of the area where members of the public entered the compound.
Police spotters with binoculars were seen at the top of the Queen Elizabeth stand, while police officers carrying rifles walked the enclosures and grounds. The injunction awarded to Epsom Derby prevented people from disrupting races by entering the parade ring or throwing objects onto the track.
Tensions were high as it was clear that the Derby Festival had become Animal Rising’s latest target. Earlier this year, activists delayed the start of the Grand National after making it onto the track at Aintree. Attempts were also made to disrupt the Scottish Grand National a week later.
Chief Executive of the Jockey Club Nevin Truesdale praised the swift actions of police and security, branding the behavior of activists “reckless and illegal”. Chief Executive of the BHA Julie Harrington echoed that sentiment, condemning the actions of the protestor who ran onto the track. She said:
“Despite Animal Rising having previously stated on multiple occasions that they would do nothing to jeopardise the safety of horses and riders, this reckless and dangerous behaviour did exactly that and I am grateful to Epsom’s security team for their swift response to ensure the race could be completed safely.”
Animal Rising later claimed that the race started after the protestor was already on the course. This is disputed by a screen visible on video capturing the moment that shows that the race had already been underway for ten seconds. It now seems likely that injunctions are to become commonplace ahead of prestigious races as organizers attempt to steel themselves against further protests.
