The use of padded whips in horse racing has come sharply into the public eye following a landmark decision in the Devonport Magistrates Court, which found a Tasmanian trainer guilty of animal cruelty for her use of the whip. On 6 August 2025, the Court convicted Ms Liandra Gray of one count of cruelty to animals under the Animal Welfare Act 1993 after an RSPCA Tasmania investigation revealed that she had struck a horse named The Bolt more than 40 times with a whip, causing pain and suffering.

Ms Gray pleaded guilty to the offence. In sentencing, the Court took into account her personal circumstances and lack of prior convictions but emphasised the seriousness of the conduct and the shifting community expectations around animal cruelty. The Court acknowledged that The Bolt was restrained by a bridle, vulnerable, and in pain for approximately four minutes. The behaviour was deliberate, intentional, and involved multiple applications of force. His Honour noted that even as a single episode, the actions caused moderate to severe suffering.

The Court imposed a fine of $2,000 and $101.22 in costs — and while no further orders were made, the case is very important. It is the first time in Tasmania that whip use in racing has resulted in a conviction for animal cruelty. This decision signals a significant cultural and scientific turning point: that hitting animals for sport is no longer acceptable in a society that values empathy, evidence, and humane treatment.

RSPCA Tasmania stands firmly for reform. Whip use in racing has long been defended as traditional or necessary, but contemporary research and animal welfare science tell a different story. Evidence from leading behaviourists and veterinarians confirms that even padded whips cause real pain and distress to horses. As horse behaviour expert Professor Paul McGreevy states, “Repeated strikes of the whip in horses that are fatigued as they end a race are likely to be distressing and cause suffering. A horse’s loss of agency as it undergoes this kind of repeated treatment is thought to lead to learned helplessness.”

RSPCA research demonstrates that current whip rules are confusing, inconsistently enforced, and ineffective in protecting animals from harm. Whip use continues despite these failings, suggesting the need for a cultural rather than regulatory shift. “Whip rules aren’t stopping the pain,” says RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins. “This conviction and the research behind it prove that racing must evolve.”

The community agrees. More and more Australians are questioning the ethics of whipping animals for entertainment or profit. Philosopher Professor Bernie Rollin has long argued that the spectacle of whipping horses undermines the compassion we try to teach our children, sending mixed messages about kindness, empathy, and respect for living beings.

RSPCA Tasmania’s campaign — End Whip Use in Racing: Real Science, Real Change — calls for an end to whip use for performance. We invite the public, industry participants, and policymakers to join us in envisioning a future for racing that reflects community values and scientific understanding.

Let horses be horses. Let compassion lead. The evidence is clear, the conviction has been made, and the time for real change is now.