But in recent years, concerns around the Melbourne Cup – and the racing industry more broadly – have gained traction, with protests and calls to boycott the event becoming increasingly louder.
What are the concerns around the Melbourne Cup?
Animal rights activists also object to whipping and tongue ties, and say racing can cause health issues such as bleeding from lungs and stomach ulcers.
“As a society, we are constantly evolving … and this is one of those changes taking place; people are choosing not to support something that is cruel.”
Their requirements are designed to cater to horse and jockey safety, including stringent pre-travel and pre-race veterinary screening processes.
“The gambling and the alcohol don’t cause the violence, violence already exists, but you’ve got this perfect storm of these different elements which increase that risk, and these incidences tend to go up.”
“I think a lot of people think it’s harmless and the thrill of it makes them keep doing it and eventually it becomes an issue and addicted,” she said.
For Janelle Maher, gambling was the catalyst for deciding to stop attending horse races. Source: Supplied / Janelle Maher
Geoff O’Brien frequently attended races and Melbourne Cup events with friends when he was in his 20s, but is now firmly against the sport.
“For my group of friends – and I would say for most attendees – it’s a day out with your mates … it’s a day to look at other people, have drinks, enjoy a good social occasion without much thought about what’s actually going on in the background.”
‘Shift in consciousness’
“There is growing momentum to highlight the animal cruelty issues and also the social implications of gambling, but at the same time, these large events like the Melbourne Cup are still put up in the spotlight … so there’s a little bit of conflict there.”
Delta Goodrem was forced to turn off her Instagram comments last year amid fierce backlash for her continued involvement with the Melbourne Cup.
“I grew up going to the races with mum and dad, dad would be riding, and mum would be entering fashions on the field, so it’s a very special place for me and I am honoured to be working with the VRC in an official capacity again this year,” she said.
Are fewer people attending the Melbourne Cup?
In 2006, a cumulative total of 418,069 people attended the Spring Racing Carnival, with 106,691 at the Melbourne Cup.
SBS News contacted the VRC but it did not provide comment.