# Guardian Essential poll: record number of Australians are turning their backs on the Melbourne Cup

- Source: Guardian World
- Published: 2026-11-02T14:00:46+00:00
- Category: World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/nov/03/melbourne-cup-2026-poll-record-numbers-turn-their-backs
- Canonical: https://groundlevelnews.com/story/guardian-essential-poll-record-number-of-australians-are-turning-their-9cac83/

Growing disdain for gambling and animal cruelty concerns drive sliding interest in race that once ‘stopped the nation’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A record number of Australians are turning their backs on the Melbourne Cup, with more than two-thirds surveyed saying they have low or zero interest in the annual horse race. Support for the Melbourne Cup has been slidi

_Ground Level News shows a short summary only; the full article and all rights belong to Guardian World._