32 year old Ben Newman is due to appear in Guildford Magistrates Court on Monday 5th June after being charged and remanded to police custody for running onto the track at Epsom Downs Racecourse during the famed Derby.

A spokesperson for the group Animal Rising said:

“Like most people, Ben cares deeply about animals. He made it onto the track yesterday to continue this urgent conversation about our treatment of not just horses in the racing industry, but all the intelligent, feeling animals who suffer unnecessarily in society.

“Before the race started it was clear to security and police that multiple people were attempting to get over the barriers, but organisers chose to steam ahead regardless and not only started the race, but failed to follow the British Horseracing Authority’s ‘Stop Race’ procedures with Ben on the track.

“To protect the race, an additional £150,000 was spent on security alongside a policing operation that included facial recognition cameras, 2 house raids, and 30 pre-emptive arrests. The fact anyone made it on the track goes to show that people who care deeply will not be stopped by crackdowns on protesting, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure a safe, secure future for all life.”

31 arrests were made in total and all but one of those have now been released on bail pending further investigation.

Animal Rising is a social movement to create a new relationship with all beings and give us a chance for a safe ecological future. The group primarily calls for the transition to a secure and sustainable plant-based food system, alongside a mass rewilding programme.