An animal advocate, Sandra Kyle from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses, is calling for a ban on horse racing in New Zealand due to the significant harm it causes to horses. For the year ending 31 July, there were 15 horse deaths and over 300 injuries reported, with jump racing being particularly lethal. Kyle argues that the sport inherently pushes horses to dangerous limits, leading to injuries such as lung and nose bleeds, cardiac arrests, and broken limbs. She believes that attempts to make racing safer, such as slower races without whips, would reduce the excitement and appeal of the sport.

Kyle acknowledges the dedication of those in the racing industry but highlights the cognitive dissonance involved, as horses face a high risk of injury or death every time they race. She points out that many horses show signs of distress or reluctance to race, which the industry often misinterprets as bad behavior. To address these issues, Kyle suggests winding down the industry by reducing horse breeding and retraining those involved for other jobs. She advocates for New Zealand’s economy to focus on ethical pursuits that do not harm animals.