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Six women have been arrested after animal rights protesters burst through the barriers and stormed the track at today’s Epsom Derby.
Members of Animal Rebellion broke onto the racetrack shortly before 4.30pm and minutes before one of the biggest horse races of the year was due to start.
Police officers could be seen dragging the women off the grass and back towards the spectators in front of the crowd.
The women, who appeared to be wearing banners with the word ‘justice’ written on, fell to the floor as officers approached.
Dozens of officers could be seen working to move them, as members of the royal box watched on.
The crowds cheered as they were taken away, with a voice on a Tannoy apologising to spectators.
Animal Rebellion, a subsection of the Extinction Rebellion movement, has claimed responsibility for the protest and said six women had made their way onto the track.
It is the second time in the space of three days that members of the group have protested at events during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
On Thursday a number of people were arrested after they charged onto the Mall during the Trooping the Colour parade in a similar protest.
The women burst onto the track shortly before one of the biggest horse races of the year was due to start
Police have confirmed six women were arrested after the protest, with officers dragging them off the track
The protesters belong to Animal Rebellion and appeared to be wearing banners with the word ‘justice’ written on them
The women fell to the ground when police arrived to get them off the track, so they had to be dragged off
Police officers pull protestors off the track at the racecourse. The protesters were booed by the crowd
Dozens of officers could be seen working to move them, as members of the royal box watched
This latest protest mirrors the now-famous protest of suffragette Emily Davison, who ran in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby on this day in 1913.
In a statement Animal Rebellion it said it was demanding an end to horse racing, all forms of animal exploitation and called for a transition to a ‘plant-based food system’.
It said: ‘Protestors from Animal Rebellion stormed the Epsom Derby to disrupt the race and urge for an end to animal abuse and, instead, a transition to a fair and compassionate plant-based future.
Animal Rebellion, which is a subsection of Extinction Rebellion, claimed responsibility for the protest
Dozens of officers ran onto the track to bring the women off before the race got underway today
In a statement Animal Rebellion called for an end to all horse racing and for a move towards a ‘plant-based food system’
The protesters were carried away by officers and arrested on suspicion of aggravated tresspass
‘This comes just two days after the group disrupted the Platinum Jubilee in an effort for Royal land to move to plant-based production and rewilding.
‘Today’s disruption is a definitive statement, and act, against the cruelty and harm the horse-racing industry represents.
‘Riding horses damages their skeleton, spinal nerves and skin.
‘Whilst horses used in races commonly suffer from heart failure, bleeding lungs and gastric ulcers.
‘Most people recognise the cruelty of bullfighting in Spain and, therefore, should also stand against other forms of animal exploitation.’
Orla Coghlan, one of those who ran out onto the race track, said: ‘Horse racing took the lives of 220 animals on racecourses in the UK last year, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
‘In this country over a billion land animals are killed for food each year. Exploitation of, and violence against, animals is fuelling the climate emergency and suffering across the globe.
‘It is obvious we must choose life over death and stop animal exploitation.’
A spokesperson for Surrey Police said six women were arrested after entering the track shortly before 4.30pm.
‘Officers policing The Derby at Epsom Downs responded to a protest which took place on the home straight at around 16:25 today, June 4,’ she said.
‘Six women were immediately detained by officers and arrested for aggravated trespass, and the race continued as scheduled.’
When the race got underway it was won by Desert Crown, which was being ridden by Richard Kingscote.
Desert Crown (pictured in the foreground) won the race when it got underway after the protest
Jockey Richard Kingscote with the trophy after winning the race with horse Desert Crown today
It is the second event during the Platinum Jubilee that has been targeted by the extremist animal rights activists.
On Thursday several vegan activists ran onto the Mall during the Trooping the Colour parade, forcing some soldiers to have to move around them as they lay on the floor.
The protesters were dragged off the road by police officers and were carried away as members of the crowd applauded the police and booed the activists.
Minutes later Animal Rebellion proudly tweeted: ‘Animal Rebels disrupt the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations demanding that Royal Land is Reclaimed.
‘This summer, we’re taking bigger action against the Dairy industry than ever before, and we need you.’
They posted on Instagram the moment they vaulted over the fences into the road.
Five people were seen here at the side of the Mall being arrested, it is not clear if they got onto the strip itself to protest. At least one (far left) was dragged through horse manure
There were a total of around 25 people who had been intending to sit down in the middle of the Mall to disrupt the route
A furious Royal fan berates one Animal Rebellion protester as they are carried away by arresting officers
Incredibly two of the protesters – who were from Animal Rebellion – were able to sit in the middle of the Mall for seconds
The protesters say they mounted the action over the Crown’s alleged inaction on the climate emergency and their continued support for meat, fishing, and dairy, a leading contributor to climate breakdown
Beau King Houston, amongst those taking action, said ‘The Royal family has had decades to lead the way on a just transition to plant-based farming and has failed to do so.
‘This transition is common sense and simple, we all win. 76% of currently farmed land could be rewilded and absorb carbon from the atmosphere.
‘This would restore nature, spare billions of animals, and present a solution to the climate emergency, all in one act.’
The activists have accused the Crown – one of the largest land owners in the country – continuing to support the meat, fishing, and dairy industry.
Protesters say these sectors and industries are leading contributors to the climate crisis.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday: ‘A number of arrests have been made of people who attempted to enter the ceremonial route in The Mall at approximately 10.10am today.
‘The arrests were public order related for highway obstruction.’
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