Docusign Envelope ID: ABA671A3-E271-4EC4-AB06-1088FEC37456
32. The Claimant has not received any direct indication from JSO or YD that they intend to
disrupt horseracing. However, in light of JSO’s public statement regarding a new direct
action campaign, coming soon, and YD’s recent establishment, targeting sporting events, I
believe there remains a very real and immediate threat to the safe and smooth operation of
the races hosted at the Epsom Racecourse. Indeed, the large audiences which watch the
Epsom Derby at the Racecourse and across broadcast and online platforms in the UK and
worldwide, make it a platform ripe for any disruptive protest group seeking to garner media
attention.
The Impact of Trespass and Disruption
33. As summarised below, including by reference to earlier evidence given in these
proceedings, the disruptive actions of protesters at the Epsom Racecourse have significant
and wide-ranging deleterious effects on the following groups.
The Horses and the Jockeys
34. I refer the Court to the first witness statement of Simon Knapp, the Claimant’s Senior
Veterinary Officer for London Region Races, for a detailed assessment of the impact of
disruptive action on the horses and jockeys. As detailed in paragraph 15, Mr Knapp
concludes that any disruption to racing events presents “ significant and serious risks to everyone involved, particularly the horses ’ safety and wellbeing ” . 50
35. In particular, he notes that the young colts raced in the Derby are “ akin to hormonal
adolescents ”, and in addition to weighing around 500kg, are “ excitable ”, “ unpredictable ” and
“ difficult to control ”, particularly if there is any delay or disruption to their routine ahead of
and at the start of a race, and particularly if injured (Knapp 1, paragraphs 8 to 10). Mr Knapp
also notes that delays and disruption can cause excessive sweating in horses, predisposing
them to injury and/or anxiety (paragraph 12), and sets out that disruptions to, and
distractions during races, pose serious risks to jockeys (paragraph 13).
36. I am informed by Jim Allen, Epsom General Manager for the Claimant, that he has spoken
with Mr Knapp, who remains in his role and has confirmed that the information contained
within his statement remains correct and there are no material updates.
The Protestors, police and security staff, and the public
37. Protesters at race meetings put themselves, police and security personnel, and the public,
at significant risk. As set out in the affidavit of Mr Truesdale at paragraph 57.2, it took the
actions of at least three police officers and three stewards to remove Mr Newman from the
Race Track in 2023. If any of them had suffered an injury or if they had not been able to
apprehend him promptly, then there was a real chance that people would have been on the
50 Pages 949 of the Evidence Bundle
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