Nup to the cup campaign 2023

Nup to the cup campaign 2023

Nup to the Cup started over a decade ago when a supporter of the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses suggested there should be an alternative event for people who want to have a good time on Melbourne Cup Day without supporting animal cruelty.

Their first event took place in 2010. It poured rain and 20 people spent most of the day huddled under a small marquee. Surprisingly, it was still a lot of fun. So, they kept doing it year after year – rain, hail or shine.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses has been relentlessly campaigning, helping to expose the cruelty and abuse in the racing industry. Melbourne Cup Day itself has resulted in the death of at least eight horses in the past ten years, and many others have sustained serious injury, never to be heard of again. There would of course be many other Melbourne Cup Day deaths prior to when CPR started recording such fatalities. Horse racing no longer enjoys the glamorous image it once had – it’s now fighting for its social licence.

2023 onwards

Many people, including some notable celebrities, are now saying Nup to the Cup and refusing to attend the races.

In 2019, Taylor Swift tore up her million-dollar contract and refused to sing at the Melbourne Cup.

PETA also announced this year that Myer has ended its 40-year sponsorship of the Melbourne Cup! They say the department store’s decision follows years of pressure from PETA, and the recent powerful Fashion Standing With Horses campaign from Collective Fashion Justice and the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses

The original Nup to the Cup event happens every year in a sports field opposite Flemington Racecourse. It now attracts hundreds of people who want to take a stand against animal abuse while still having a good time.

The organisation’s goal

It is the organisation’s vision to keep having as much fun as possible. They say instead of supporting an industry that exploits the animals it relies upon to exist, let it be a day we celebrate animals and say Nup to the Cup!

This year again they are asking people who really care about animals (not just horses) to use this day to remember and respect the important role that all animals play in our world. You could host your own Nup to the Cup event and raise much needed funds for one of the many organisations who are doing fabulous work being a voice for animals.

Check out their other pages for useful tips on hosting your own event and register it with them so that they can help you promote the occasion. Or, let someone else do the work and just go along. Click here to find a Nup to the Cup event near you.

If you’re stuck at work, you could host a Nup to the Cup in the workplace. The team have come up with a list of ideas and tips to make it a fun time for all of your collegues here!

Final Thoughts

If you would like any information on the event or organising your own event, please drop them a line at enquiries@horseracingkills.com

Otherwise, visit the NUPTOTHECUP Website for all the details!

LGV!