Pollster warns that public opinion divided on horse racing as Polanski highlights horses death at Aintree

Public opinion is split over the future of horse racing a pollster has said, after Green Party leader Zack Polanski called for a ban.

The row has intensified on the day of horse racing’s biggest race, the Grand National, and just 24 hours after the tragic death of Gold Dancer at the Aintree Festival sparked backlash.

According to YouGov, 38 per cent of those asked about the future of horse racing in its most recent survey supported its ban, the exact same number who support it continuing, with a further 24 per cent undecided.

In a social media post, they noted: “With Zack Polanski calling for a ban on horse racing, our 2023 survey found Britons split over such a ban.”

One senior figure involved in horse racing has claimed that the sport’s refusal to intervene over the attempts to ban greyhound racing has left it “exposed to the nutters”.

But the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) has pointed out that other polling has shown clear public support for horse racing.

Strand Polling found that 59 per cent think racehorses are treated well in the UK, 64 per cent think racing takes horse welfare seriously and 60 per cent think racing authorities in the UK are genuinely committed to improving welfare standards.

They noted that Savanta found 60 per cent think the Grand National should continue while M&C Saatchi found 56 per cent say the race, which is set to be watched by 600 million worldwide, is an important part of British sporting culture.

Mr Polanski has in the last few days reiterated his claim that “there’s something deeply wrong with society when this is considered a sport”, adding: “We need to ban horse racing – and indeed all forms of animal cruelty.”

On Friday, he retweeted an X post from animal rights group PETA stating: “While crowds cheer, horses fall. Since 2000, over 60 horses have died at the Grand National. This is not a national tradition – it’s a national disgrace. #youbettheydie.”

And he doubled down retweeting another post showing disturbing footage of Gold Dancer breaking down on Friday after being urged to the winning line with a broken back.

The post noted: “This horse broke his back on the last jump, jockey… Paul Townend then forced and whipped the horse over the finish with a BROKEN BACK to finish 1st. The horse was killed.”

Mr Polanski suggested that negative press coverage of his position in the last two days, was because the establishment is “terrified” as he sets out his “plan to end rip-off Britain and take back our power and wealth from those who have stolen it.”

Animal rights organisations called for the Grand National to be boycotted as the winner of the second race on Friday, Gold Dancer, died after crossing the finish line.

Recent assessments suggest that the the UK horse racing industry is a major economic driver, contributing approximately £4 billion annually to the British economy.

As the second largest spectator sport in Great Britain, it generates over £3.39 billion in direct and indirect expenditure, supports over 17,000 full-time jobs, and has an overall equine impact closer to £5bn.