Taylor Swift's scheduled Melbourne Cup performance has been widely criticised by animal rights activists, with calls for her to boycott the race that stops a nation.
News broke this week that the music superstar would be in Australia for a one-off performance on Melbourne Cup day on November 5.
It is understood that Swift will sing two songs from her new album, Lover, in the mounting yard for the Melbourne Cup.
Securing one of the world's biggest music stars is a huge win for the Melbourne Racing Club, but not everyone is happy.
Social media lit up at the news of Swift's booking, with animal rights activists venting their anger.
Many Twitter users saw her willingness to play the event as selling out.
Many more said her appearance supports animal cruelty.
Others were worried about the idea that her performing would promote the glamourisation of gambling.
@taylorswift13 Performing at the Melbourne Cup shows that you support animal cruelty! I thought you were better than this!! I won’t be supporting you ever again! #NupToTheCup #TaylorSwift
— 💧Josh (@joshyc95) September 12, 2019
@taylorswift13 please don’t sell out to lend your name to animal cruelty and gambling glamorisation. #nuptothecup
— WO2 Durrington (@wo2durrington) September 12, 2019
@taylorswift13 say #NuptotheCup
— Tyrone Dlisle (@TDlisle) September 12, 2019
Don't support the Melbourne Cup & and industry which leads to the death & cruelty of so many animals.
@taylorswift13 say #NuptotheCup
— Tyrone Dlisle (@TDlisle) September 12, 2019
Don't support the Melbourne Cup & and industry which leads to the death & cruelty of so many animals.
@taylorswift13 horse racing is a horrific blood sport. They are exploited&suffer catastrophic injuries. 1 horse dies on Australian race tracks every 3 days. Those who are no longer profitable are shot in the tens of thousands yearly. Please Say #Nuptothecup
— Pella (@PelaSoup) September 12, 2019
@Taylorswift13 please taylor do not attend the melbourne cup horse race event. Horse racing kills. Please say #nuptothecup.
— Terri Beech (@tezzle18) September 12, 2019
I agree! Please Taylor don't perform at the Melbourne Cup. It contributes to animal cruelty and abuse. Please research the the Melbourne Cup and horse racing in general and how much torture these animals endure. #boycottmelbournecup
— Cheree Pirika (@ChereePirika) September 12, 2019
I wonder if @taylorswift13 will get a photo with the Green Curtain winner at this years Melbourne Cup? @FlemingtonVRC #taylorswift #lover #Flemington #Myer pic.twitter.com/E0UtB8xT9l
— Todd Buttsworth (@ToddButtsworth) September 12, 2019
Cliffsofmoher was euthansed on the track after breaking its shoulder during a fall at last year's Melbourne Cup.
"This was an unfortunate incident that happens infrequently, with Victoria having one of the best safety records in world racing," a Racing Victoria statement read.
"Our sympathies are extended to Coolmore and the Williams family, the owners of The Cliffsofmoher, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan O'Brien and his staff, who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss."
Cliffsofmoher joins Verema (2013), Admire Rakti (2014), Araldo (2014) and Red Cadeaux (2015) as horses that have died at, or shortly after the Melbourne Cup.
