Why you should say NO to horse racing

Download, print and share our updated "Say NO to horse racing" leaflet

Why you should say NO to horse racing

Horse racing is responsible for much suffering and death. Horses pushed to their limits are whipped towards finish lines. Many horses sustain painful injuries and are killed at racecourses around Ireland.

You Bet They Die: Horse Racing Ireland statistics reveal that over 1,300 horses have lost their lives at races here since 2012. They were killed by lethal injection or shot in the head.

Among the victims are horses destroyed after suffering broken necks and legs and horses who collapsed during races. 

Numerous horses are killed behind the scenes when they fail to make the grade. Between 2016 and 2024, more than 16,300 thoroughbreds were slaughtered in Ireland.

Thousands have also been exported to the UK for slaughter, as exposed in the shocking BBC documentary “The Dark Side of Horse Racing”. Others are sent to slaughterhouses in France, including 256 in 2024.

DID YOU KNOW? Since 2001, Horse Racing Ireland has received over €1.6 Billion (€1,629,064,981) of taxpayers' money through government grants. This includes €79.2 million for 2026 and €81.6 million for 2027.
Much of this is paid out as race prize money. Please join calls on the government to stop squandering money on this gambling activity.

Help end the cruelty and killing – stay away from racecourses and never bet on horse racing

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