Help me to introduce a Ban on Horse Racing across the UK in memory of Gold Dancer.

The Government needs to ban Horse Racing in its entirety to end the constant suffering and cruelty race horses are subjected to all in the name of greed and profit! This petition is in memory of Gold Dancer who was slaughtered at Antiree during the Grand National 2026!

The current regulations regarding equine welfare on and off the track are inadequate. Cruelty and abuse is rampant among Jockeys, Trainers and Owners whose only concern is profit. Gold Dancer a 7yrs gelding who’s back was broken jumping the last fence at Anitree Race Course. He was not pulled up instead his jockey one Paul Townend whipped him until he crossed the finish line winning the race. After winning the race with a broken back he was then killed! Before the race his mouth was strapped shut and his tongue was tied. The horror and suffering he experienced at the hands of those who professed to love and care for him was horrific. After he was killed the jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins then preceded to blame Gold Dancer for making a mistake at the last jump and for breaking his own back. He won the race for them and this was how they thanked him. Their response was barbaric and devoid of any compassion or remorse for the part they played in his demise. Gold Dancers owners wereGigginstown House Farm and Stud. 

The race horse industry at its core is fuelled by greed and profit. Over 10,000 horses a year a bred for racing. The majority are deemed failures and are disposed of before they make it to the race track. Some are lucky enough to find good homes while many of them are sent to slaughter. The picture is the same for the horses that are lucky enough to survive their racing ‘careers’.

These horses are seen as commodities. The trainer of Discorama a horse who was killed in the 2022 Grand National at Antiree one Paul Nolan referred to Discorama as ‘a great servant’ let that sink in a servant. The trainer Gordon Elliott was photographed sitting on a horse who had died of a heart attack at the Grand National. Jockey Davy Russell was given a four day ban for punching a horse in the head at the 2018 Grand National. Just four days! But they would have us believe they love and care for these horses. 

This petition is in memory of all these horses that were failed by their owners, trainers, jockeys, race courses and the inadequate regulations set by the Government and then supported by Equine Welfare organisations!

All donations will be given or shared between horse related charities! 

Please sign and share this petition!