Published May 30, 2025

In a landmark decision, a Tasmanian court has ruled that whipping a horse with a padded racing whip can cause unreasonable and unjustifiable pain, and therefore constitutes animal cruelty under law.

The case, brought forward by the RSPCA, involved racehorse trainer Liandra Gray, who was recorded striking a horse with a padded whip more than 40 times in July 2022. Despite the whip being a type approved by Racing Australia and introduced in 2009 as a supposedly more humane alternative to conventional whips, the court found that its use still resulted in suffering.

Magistrate Evan Hughes of the Devonport Magistrates Court delivered the ruling on May 27, 2025, stating that the act breached the Animal Welfare Act of Australia, as it caused or was likely to cause unjustifiable harm to the animal.

Gray pleaded not guilty, arguing that she used less force than would typically be applied during a race. However, the court rejected this defence, instead relying on expert reports and video evidence to reach its conclusion.

This ruling is significant because it is the first time an Australian court has determined that a padded whip—the standard used in modern racing—can cause pain serious enough to be deemed unlawful.

The decision challenges long-standing industry claims that padded whips are harmless. It may lead to increased scrutiny of current racing practices, and renew calls for reform from animal welfare organisations.

Advocacy group Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses welcomed the ruling, calling it a critical step forward for horse welfare and urging Racing Australia to reconsider the continued use of whips in competition.

Read more from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses: https://horseracingkills.com/2025/05/29/whipping-horses-with-a-padded-racing-whip-is-an-act-of-cruelty/