Protest in Bengaluru Calls for Horseracing Ban After Racehorse’s Death
Bengaluru, 8 Aug. 2026: Around 50 to 100 people gathered at Freedom Park on Saturday demanding that the Karnataka Government ban horseracing, following the death of four-year-old racehorse KNOTTY CRUISE during a race at the Bangalore Turf Club on July 12. The protest was organised by Bengaluru Brigade for Animal Liberation (BBAL) and Erase Horseracing India.
The organisers said KNOTTY CRUISE suffered a catastrophic leg fracture and was euthanised shortly afterwards. They said the incident raised wider concerns about the welfare of racehorses and was not an isolated case. Participants displayed placards and symbolic tombstones carrying the names and photographs of horses reported to have died at the Bangalore Turf Club between April 2018 and March 2025.
The 90-minute protest included speeches, slogan shouting, public interviews and a street play titled Life of KNOTTY CRUISE, depicting the horse’s life from birth, separation from its mother and sale at a young age to intensive training, racing, fatal injury and euthanasia. Participants also emailed the Chief Minister seeking a statewide ban on horseracing.
Nitharshni, President of Erase Horseracing India, raised concerns over the living conditions of racehorses. “The psychological stress these horses experience because of solitary confinement is extremely cruel. They are social animals, just like us,” she said, alleging that horses spend 21 to 23 hours a day in 12ft by 12ft concrete stalls.
Saadhana spoke about her childhood experience of riding a pony named Majnu and said her views had changed over time. “I cannot undo the past, nor can I find Majnu and apologise. But the regret I feel is beyond what words can ever express,” she said.
Manjunath questioned the use of animals for sport and entertainment, saying, “Animals cannot speak our language, but they understand pain. They know fear. They love, they grieve, they form families, and above all, they wish to live.”
During the street play, Bhavana, portraying KNOTTY CRUISE, said: “They put metal into my mouth and called it training… But, nobody asked if I wanted to race.”
Samaran of Animal Liberation Now! called horseracing “modern slavery”, while BBAL organiser Dilip said horses were “non-willing participants” in the activity.
Organiser Sanjiv said the campaign would continue until horseracing was abolished. “No animal exists for our entertainment or our gambling,” he said.
The groups also opposed relocating the Bangalore Turf Club to Kunigal, saying relocation would not address concerns linked to horseracing itself. The protest ended with participants sending emails to the Chief Minister seeking a statewide ban.
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