As the Melbourne Cup approaches, it's not just the thundering hooves and the thrill of the race that captures attention.

Fashion, too, plays a pivotal role in this cultural spectacle. However, this year, the glitz and glamour have been overshadowed by controversy, with popular radio and TV presenter Carrie Bickmore at its centre.

Radio and TV presenter Carrie Bickmore has found herself in hot water after sharing photos of her Derby Day celebration at Flemington Racecourse.

Derby Day, a key lead-up event to the Melbourne Cup, is traditionally a monochrome affair, and Carrie certainly dressed to impress in a form-fitting Effie Kats dress complemented by a chic black hat.

Radio and TV presenter Carrie Bickmore is under fire after sharing photos of her Derby Day celebration. Credit: @bickmorecarry / Instagram

But beneath the surface of this sartorial elegance lies a deeper issue that has divided the nation. Many Australians have grown increasingly critical of horse racing, citing animal welfare concerns.

The RSPCA has highlighted the lack of transparency in the industry, particularly concerning the number of injuries and fatalities among racehorses.

The risks are real and significant, with horses potentially facing torn ligaments, muscle tears, fractured bones, and even internal bleeding in the lungs.

The use of whips, tongue ties, and spurs in racing has also come under scrutiny for causing discomfort, pain, and potential injury to the animals.

Carrie's followers did not hold back, expressing their disappointment and disapproval in the comments section of her social media post.

The reactions ranged from polite disillusionment to outright indignation.

'Or we could not support animal abuse just to dress up pretty,' one person wrote, while another commented, 'I'm kind of disappointed you would support the races. Love you, but not this decision.'

The sentiment was echoed by others, with one asking, 'You support the death of horses all in the name of dressing up and having fun?'

‘Animal cruelty with a side of fashion! How vacuous,’ someone else added.

The backlash was not universal, however. Some fans were quick to praise Carrie's look, with Nadia Bartel commenting, 'You looked incredible!' and Khanh Ong adding, 'Stunning hun.'

Compliments continued to pour in, with one user declaring, 'One of your best looks ever, Carrie! All class,' and another confessing, 'I am legitimately obsessed with your looks at the moment.'

You can check Carrie’s photos below:

Credit: @bickmorecarrie / Instagram​

The Melbourne Cup has received backlash over the past few years. In a previous story, the annual Melbourne Cup Parade was cancelled last year amid growing protests against the event.

Instead, the officials have made a ‘feature event’ in lieu of the annual event. You can read more about the story here.

Key Takeaways

• Carrie Bickmore has drawn criticism from some fans for attending Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse, where she was seen dressed in black and white.
• Critics point out the risks to horses involved in racing, citing possible injuries and discomfort caused by whips, tongue ties, and spurs.
• While some followers expressed disappointment and concern about animal welfare, others complimented Carrie's fashion choice.
• The divided reaction demonstrates the ongoing debate over the ethics of horse racing and its associated events.

Have your views on horse racing and events like the Melbourne Cup changed? Do you think it's possible to enjoy the tradition while still promoting animal welfare? Let's have a discussion in the comments below.

 

[Knell]

Ah...Horse racing - "The Sport of Kings" LOL...nope, just more selfish cruelty!

 

[RieTreesSilver]

So how many of these supporters of "Animal Cruelty" protesting to BAN Horse racing have actually been to the races or toured training facilities at race tracks around Australia? Watch the jockeys and the strappers (the person leading the horse) and trainers treat the horse both before and after the race.

Maybe the biggest question to put to these cruelty campaigners is "What would you suggest to replace the millions of dollars that flow through the Australian Economy if horse racing is stopped. Remember the issues that arose when equine flu quarantines were applied a number of years ago. Its not just the trainers and race jockeys impacted. Its the Farriers (the guys who shoe horses), the feed merchants, the stable hands, the track riders, the silks (racing colours shirts) manufacturer, the leather-smiths who make the saddles, reins, and gear, the factories that make saddle blankets, safety blankets ETC, the work wear providers who carry the Helmets, and safety vests and other personal protection gear for riders and ground staff including the barrier Attendants (the guys and ladies who load the horses into the starting barrier) the vets who look after the animals, the grounds staff at all the race courses around the country, also the hospitality staff and first aid and administrative staff who are employed both full time and part-time on race days, the mechanics who keep the horse trucks (Floats) on the road as well as all the equipment used at the various race course and properties around the country.

Ask anyone who lives near Oakbank in SA about the impact of the decline of Jumps racing on the local economy. What used to bring over 100,000 people into the area over 4 days is now lucky to have a crowd of 15000 over 2 days sue to the ANTI campaigners!!!!

and no I do not own a race horse myself but I have been fortunate enough to have family member who have owned shares in horses for over 60 years. yes there are those out there who should not be allowed to have a pet rock let alone a living breathing animal, but with modern technology and all the checks and legal requirements in place around the industry these people are being forced out and are getting rarer and rarer.

At least those involved are actively doing something constructive not sitting behind a screen and anonymously condemning people they have never met who are being active.


Sorry I'll get off my soap box.

 

[Knell]

Yes, the social cost of gambling, adverse financial, emotional and psychological costs, relationships and family impacts….oh well! Never mind, some are making lots of $s. Hope no deaths (human or horse) this year.

 

[RieTreesSilver]

How about you find something positive to comment on - after all the old adage goes if you cannot say something nice don't say anything at all.

my apologies for being blunt.

 

[Knell]

How about you find something positive to comment on - after all the old adage goes if you cannot say something nice don't say anything at all.

my apologies for being blunt.

Well RieTreesSilver - just because my opinion differs from yours, it does not make it that I do not have a right to express my opinion... Blunt is ok....I can do blunt if you think you have the right to have the only opinion!?? Do not tell me what to do Champ!

 

[RieTreesSilver]

I'm not saying you cannot have an opinion of your own but have a good look at your last few comments I'm not trying to tell you what to think I'm just feed up with all those who hide behind a keyboard and have nothing good to say about the world out beyond their front fence or who are different. we can all continue to learn to be kinder to those around us regardless of our age. So you are entitled to your negative attitude but PLEASE occasionally look for the sunshine in the world its always received more freely and widely.

have fun CHAMP

 

[Knell]

Well yes you did tell me to keep my opinion to myself. You can put forward a different viewpoint - but you have no right to tell me to say nothing. You can choose to read my comments or not…my ‘couldn’t care less’ meter on what you think is low. These are topics for discussion..I will discuss or I will be as rude as some of the posts that are gratuitously rude and offensive. Please don’t lecture me because you don’t like my opinions…you sound a bit evangelical - spare me! Lol Champ…you could try to be original. Bless you!

 

[RieTreesSilver]

have a pleasant day in the sun and say whatever you like at least you are using you brain and fingers even if it is all negative. and narrow minded. Its an amazing world out there when you open yourself to it.

I hope one day you can find SOMETHING that will cause you to post a positive comment. Have a nice life. XOXOXO

 

[Knell]

LOL condescending and bigoted - sounds familiar! Yes, well I am a bit negative about gambling and the damage it does, also negative about racism - but hey, each to their own!

 

[RieTreesSilver]

Knell I do take offence at being called bigoted and condescending. Go and have a read back thru the earlier comments to day i suggested you find something positive, how is that bigoted or condescending. Is your world so bad that there is nothing you can smile about that's all i'm getting at.
How about instead of calling me names you have a good hard look at you own opinions that you are well and truly entitled to and see if you can make the world around you a little nicer instead of negative and doom and gloom. If that makes me evangelical so be it. But I rather laugh than be given a serve because I suggested you look for something good or keep it to yourself. I'm over all the bad news bears out there, but you obvious have a lot of friends. I feel sorry for you more than anything if after a relatively long life your outlook is so negative.

 

[Knell]

Knell I do take offence at being called bigoted and condescending. Go and have a read back thru the earlier comments to day i suggested you find something positive, how is that bigoted or condescending. Is your world so bad that there is nothing you can smile about that's all i'm getting at.
How about instead of calling me names you have a good hard look at you own opinions that you are well and truly entitled to and see if you can make the world around you a little nicer instead of negative and doom and gloom. If that makes me evangelical so be it. But I rather laugh than be given a serve because I suggested you look for something good or keep it to yourself. I'm over all the bad news bears out there, but you obvious have a lot of friends. I feel sorry for you more than anything if after a relatively long life your outlook is so negative.

You are just plainly odd!

 

[Kayer02]

Goodness guys you are both allowed your own opinions . There is no need to be nasty .

 

[Rosi Gordon]

So how many of these supporters of "Animal Cruelty" protesting to BAN Horse racing have actually been to the races or toured training facilities at race tracks around Australia? Watch the jockeys and the strappers (the person leading the horse) and trainers treat the horse both before and after the race.

Maybe the biggest question to put to these cruelty campaigners is "What would you suggest to replace the millions of dollars that flow through the Australian Economy if horse racing is stopped. Remember the issues that arose when equine flu quarantines were applied a number of years ago. Its not just the trainers and race jockeys impacted. Its the Farriers (the guys who shoe horses), the feed merchants, the stable hands, the track riders, the silks (racing colours shirts) manufacturer, the leather-smiths who make the saddles, reins, and gear, the factories that make saddle blankets, safety blankets ETC, the work wear providers who carry the Helmets, and safety vests and other personal protection gear for riders and ground staff including the barrier Attendants (the guys and ladies who load the horses into the starting barrier) the vets who look after the animals, the grounds staff at all the race courses around the country, also the hospitality staff and first aid and administrative staff who are employed both full time and part-time on race days, the mechanics who keep the horse trucks (Floats) on the road as well as all the equipment used at the various race course and properties around the country.

Ask anyone who lives near Oakbank in SA about the impact of the decline of Jumps racing on the local economy. What used to bring over 100,000 people into the area over 4 days is now lucky to have a crowd of 15000 over 2 days sue to the ANTI campaigners!!!!

and no I do not own a race horse myself but I have been fortunate enough to have family member who have owned shares in horses for over 60 years. yes there are those out there who should not be allowed to have a pet rock let alone a living breathing animal, but with modern technology and all the checks and legal requirements in place around the industry these people are being forced out and are getting rarer and rarer.

At least those involved are actively doing something constructive not sitting behind a screen and anonymously condemning people they have never met who are being active.


Sorry I'll get off my soap box.

Read the first bit and the last line, the blah blah blah. Yes get off your soap box and keep making money out of animal cruelty

 

[Knell]

Goodness guys you are both allowed your own opinions . There is no need to be nasty .

Kayer02 - are you vested with a ‘higher power’? If so, you have a lot of work to do if you are going to reprimand rudeness in here.

If not vested with a ‘higher power’ - and I say this will all due respect - mind your own nasty business and stay out of mine! There is no need for you to be nasty!

 

[Ebby]

Poor horses! some didn't look so good. l'm not into horse racing but l wonder if the ''Grand National'' was eventually banned l know they tried to years ago.

 

[Veggiepatch]

So would these animal activists want to ban all forms of field and track events involving HUMANS as well! From Little Athletics to the Olympics. Of course! Not a single human has ever suffered an injury while engaging in such activities. Yeah sure!

Meanwhile, these hypocritical animal activists will freely sit down to a nice juicy steak, fillet of barramundi or crumbed chicken maryland. But who will think of the cattle, fish or chooks?

Don't get me started on the f**kwits known as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Their documented treatment of the very animals they are supposed to protect is horrific to say the least. Does the numerous cases of PETA workers removing pets from their owners for rehoming then euthanising them ring any bells? That is just ONE example of their nefarious practices.

And all you are worried about is a few racehorses running around EVERY day of the week who come to grief. More Australians die from gunshot wounds and stabbings each week than racehorses die from track incidents in a whole month!

Get your priorities right!

 

[Knell]

So would these animal activists want to ban all forms of field and track events involving HUMANS as well! From Little Athletics to the Olympics. Of course! Not a single human has ever suffered an injury while engaging in such activities. Yeah sure!

Meanwhile, these hypocritical animal activists will freely sit down to a nice juicy steak, fillet of barramundi or crumbed chicken maryland. But who will think of the cattle, fish or chooks?

Don't get me started on the f**kwits known as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Their documented treatment of the very animals they are supposed to protect is horrific to say the least. Does the numerous cases of PETA workers removing pets from their owners for rehoming then euthanising them ring any bells? That is just ONE example of their nefarious practices.

And all you are worried about is a few racehorses running around EVERY day of the week who come to grief. More Australians die from gunshot wounds and stabbings each week than racehorses die from track incidents in a whole month!

Get your priorities right!

What 'priorities' would you be talking about?

 

[Jest]

as a daughter of an owner-breeder trainer, I say do not carry on unless you have very good knowledge of abusive behaviour. Do you not understand the cost of these thoroughbreds, no you do not!! Listen HARD. They carry the cost of sending mares to get in foal, they have huge VET bills. They have to transport their animals to race meetings, they pay entrance fees, and so many to mention. I will guarantee there are maybe a few who do not care but these horses are not toys and are very much loved in the family. My Dad told me that the whips are used mostly on the jockey's boots. IF THIS IS ANOTHER PETA THING, DROP DEAD. Talk about what you know not about what you have heard. There is nothing more majestic than a fine-tuned thoroughbred horse.

 

[Jest]

So would these animal activists want to ban all forms of field and track events involving HUMANS as well! From Little Athletics to the Olympics. Of course! Not a single human has ever suffered an injury while engaging in such activities. Yeah sure!

Meanwhile, these hypocritical animal activists will freely sit down to a nice juicy steak, fillet of barramundi or crumbed chicken maryland. But who will think of the cattle, fish or chooks?

Don't get me started on the f**kwits known as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Their documented treatment of the very animals they are supposed to protect is horrific to say the least. Does the numerous cases of PETA workers removing pets from their owners for rehoming then euthanising them ring any bells? That is just ONE example of their nefarious practices.

And all you are worried about is a few racehorses running around EVERY day of the week who come to grief. More Australians die from gunshot wounds and stabbings each week than racehorses die from track incidents in a whole month!

Get your priorities right!

i totally agree.