Racehorse event at Gunwharf goes ahead despite animal welfare concerns raised by Green Party as Great British Racing responds to criticism
Gunwharf shoppers had chance to meet racehorses up close
An “urban racing yard” was set up at Gunwharf Quays this week to celebrate National Racehorse Week 2026.
The event had drawn criticism from local Green Party campaigners who raised concerns about animal welfare. The event took place on Saturday, August 29, with shoppers getting the chance to meet a racehorse up close and learn more about the sport with TV personality Chris Hughes also in attendance as a National Racehorse Week ambassador.
With the Green Part holding a policy to “end the exploitation of animals in all situations where animals are commercially raced” and ban the whip, they released a statement ahead of the event.
Lucy Bridgewater, campaigner for Portsmouth Green Party, said: "Many Portsmouth residents care deeply about animal welfare. We don't think an event designed to promote horse racing, particularly to children and families, is something our city should be celebrating.
"Behind the polished image of racing is an industry in which horses are seriously injured and killed in the pursuit of entertainment and commercial gain. Bringing racehorses into a shopping destination is a clear attempt to attract new audiences.
"We would like to see events that promote the commercial racing of animals banned, rather than horse racing being marketed to another generation as family entertainment. Recent protests by animal rights groups have helped draw public attention to the suffering associated with horse racing.
"We are calling on those responsible for hosting and organising this event to reconsider it, and we will be exploring what powers Portsmouth City Council has to prevent or discourage similar animal-racing promotional events in future.
"Portsmouth has no shortage of fantastic sporting, cultural and community activities that families can enjoy without animals being commercially exploited. Those are the kinds of events we should be championing."
A spokesperson from Great British Racing responded: “National Racehorse Week is all about celebrating the wonderful horses at the heart of British racing. More than 100 yards are opening their doors for free across the week letting families come behind the scenes to meet both the horses, and the staff who dedicate themselves to their training and care and more than 50 community events are happening.
“Not everyone can travel to a yard, so the city events give people the chance to meet a racehorse up close, talk to a jockey, have some fun on an equiciser, and discover more about the sport. Racing has held similar events in Gunwharf Quays in the past and they’ve always been a huge success with the public.
“British racing holds itself to the highest possible standards of welfare and care for horses and National Racehorse Week allows people to experience this for themselves. If anyone wants to know more we also have a dedicated hub with information and data www.horsepwr.co.uk.”