Melbourne Cup Day attracts mixed reactions these days, doesn’t it? More and more, horse racing is being called out as something that represents and condones cruelty to animals. On the other hand, it truly is ‘the race that stops a nation’, and Aussies love to celebrate this annual tradition on our sporting calendar.

With the 2019 Melbourne Cup just around the corner, we discussed the topic at Appoint House and we all agreed that everyone has a right to their own personal values. In our spirit of always aiming to give back, we decided that Melbourne Cup Day provides a great reason to support organisations that help improve the lives of animals.

Pro-Melbourne Cup

Obviously, eating, drinking and being merry is a big part of the attraction for many people and Melbourne Cup Luncheons are a huge deal all over the country! It’s a time when staff in many workforces can down tools for an hour, maybe the boss will shout the team to a catered lunch and the office sweeps add a sense of buzz all morning. Fascinators and bow ties become must-have fashion accessories – even on factory floors, worn fetchingly with high-vis vests! – and everyone has an opinion on who’s going to win the race.

Melbourne Cup often brings people together. It’s escapism, a dose of colour, fun and frivolity in an otherwise ordinary workday. For those who get to go to a racecourse or out to a fancy lunch ‘do’, the champagne flows and work is something that’ll happen again tomorrow.

Sporting events like the Melbourne Cup are team building. There’s a sense of common interest. Anyone could land a windfall, everyone enjoys a break and from the process worker to the Managing Director, the Cup unites us all.

Anti-Melbourne Cup

What about those who protest or even boycott the Melbourne Cup? Did you know that an increasing number of alternative racing carnivals (with only human participants) are springing up around the country? Saying ‘Nup to the Cup’ has become a thing! Restaurants offer ‘Cup-free-zone’ lunches where conscientious objectors to horse racing can go for a meal but escape the TV footage. Other venues are holding ‘F**k the Cup’ events, complete with vegan menus and fundraising activities, with proceeds donated to animal welfare organisations.

The Horse Racing Kills website has compiled a collection of events and venues all over Australia that offer fun ways to mark the day that don’t condone or contribute in any way to the Melbourne Cup itself.

Spare a thought, and maybe a buck

Whatever your values – personal, across your team or workforce, or throughout your organisation as a whole – we hope you spend Melbourne Cup Day doing what feels right for you. Pro- or anti-, the first Tuesday in November is always an ideal day to spare a thought for the love and care of horses. Consider sending a few bucks the way of your favourite charity such as RSPCA, PETA, Animal Welfare League or one of the many horse welfare organisations.