An injunction prohibiting acts of intentional disruption at The Jockey Club's Epsom Downs Racecourse has been extended an additional five years by a High Court judge, TJC announced on Wednesday. The injunction will be subject to an annual review.
The original injunction was put in place in May of last year when protesters from Animal Rising made it clear that they planned to breach course security and stage a disruptive protest at the Derby Festival. Judge Sir Anthony Mann has ruled that the final injunction–sought by TJC to restrain acts of trespass and interference with racing at the track–should be granted. Alan Maclean KC represented TJC at the High Court.
The order prohibits individuals from entering onto the racetrack and carrying out other acts with the intention and/or effect of disrupting any raceday at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Such acts include intentionally causing objects to enter the racetrack, entering the parade ring, entering and/or remaining on the horses' route to the parade ring and to the racetrack without authorisation, and intentionally endangering any person at the venue. Individuals acting in breach of the court order could be subject to proceedings for contempt of court, which may lead to a fine and/or imprisonment. These provisions will apply to every race meeting at Epsom Downs.
Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of The Jockey Club, said, “The interim injunction which was granted last May has remained in place for all fixtures staged at Epsom Downs since and has proved a very effective deterrent to those who had been considering illegally and irresponsibly protesting on racedays, with potential unknown and dangerous consequences for jockeys, racegoers and the horses themselves.
“We have always said that we will do everything in our power to ensure that the safety of all horses, participants, racegoers and our employees is not compromised by such reckless actions and we are extremely pleased that this final injunction to restrain acts of trespass will keep the current restrictions in place for up to a further five years.
“We will never tolerate or acquiesce in a repeat of the disruption we saw last year and we welcome this High Court ruling.”
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