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 Benalla • Horse racing

Benalla is a town in the north-eastern part of the Australian state of Victoria. It is located approximately 212 km north-east of Melbourne, the state capital, and has a population of around 10,000 people. Horse racing is a popular sport and industry in Australia, and Benalla is known for its racing club, the Benalla Racing Club.

The Benalla Racing Club was established in 1860 and hosts several race meetings throughout the year. The club's premier event is the Benalla Cup, which is held annually in October and attracts a large number of visitors from the surrounding areas. The Benalla Cup is a feature race on the country racing calendar and is run over a distance of 1600 metres.

Horse racing is an important industry in Australia, contributing over $9 billion annually to the economy. The industry employs around 240,000 people and is a significant source of tourism, particularly in regional areas such as Benalla.

However, the horse racing industry has also faced criticism over animal welfare concerns, particularly in relation to the use of whips and the high rate of horse deaths and injuries. As a result, there has been increased scrutiny of the industry and calls for greater regulation and oversight.

In 2018, a scandal involving a former Australian government security officer, Alexandre Benalla, made international headlines. Benalla was filmed assaulting two protesters during a May Day demonstration in Paris while wearing a police armband, despite not being a police officer. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and led to Benalla's dismissal from his government position.

In conclusion, Benalla is a town in Victoria, Australia, known for its racing club and the annual Benalla Cup. Horse racing is a popular sport and industry in Australia, contributing significantly to the economy but also facing criticism over animal welfare concerns. The Alexandre Benalla scandal, while unrelated to horse racing, brought the town's name into international headlines.

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