With millions of Britons poised to watch the Grand National at Aintree tomorrow, the Green Party's leader has reportedly chosen this week to demand that horse racing be wiped off the sporting calendar entirely - earning him the fury of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage amongst others.
The express understands Polanski, 43, wants to shut down the £4billion industry despite its deep roots in British sporting culture. He is going well beyond his own party's position — the Greens' official policy limits itself to banning the whip, stopping short of abolition.
The call is one of several eyebrow-raising positions held by the Green leadership contender, who also wants to legalise heroin, crack cocaine and prostitution, introduce a tax on dog ownership, scrap the Trident nuclear deterrent, close all zoos and disestablish the Church of England.
Polanski — born David Paulden — argued that horse racing constitutes animal cruelty and has called for all equestrian disciplines to be removed from the Olympic programme. In a 2024 post on X he wrote: "Let's go further and remove all animals involved in sport."
His veganism shapes more than his diet. In 2018 he tracked down American musician JMSN on social media and asked him to redesign his clothing line after spotting a horse on one of his T-shirts.
"You're one of my favourite artists of all time and these T-shirts are dope, but as a vegan, I'm not keen on wearing horseriding stuff. Rethink your logo please?" he wrote.
Nigel Farage dismissed the Green leader's position without ceremony, reaching for the word "cranky" to describe what he heard.
"The idea of banning horse racing is utterly absurd," he said. "Horse racing is an integral part of our British heritage. It's a sport that supports tens of thousands of jobs, rural communities, and generations of tradition.
"It's also deeply ironic that Polanski, a party leader that seems happy to legalise just about everything else, is so enthusiastic about banning one of Britain's most historic and beloved sports."
Conservative MP Nick Timothy, who represents a seat that covers Newmarket — the town that sits at the centre of the British racing world — was equally dismissive.
"This is extreme madness from Zack Polanski. He's not the only one. This Labour Government risks taxing and regulating racing out of existence," he said.
Few sports are more woven into British life than racing, which trails only football in annual attendance figures. British Horseracing Authority data puts the industry's contribution to the national economy at £4.1billion, with the sector underpinning work for more than 85,000 people.
The Grand National Festival at Aintree — which opened in wet weather yesterday — pumps £60million into the local Liverpool economy across its three days. A global television audience of more than 600 million spread across 130 countries is expected to tune in, with punters in Britain alone tipping £250million on the outcome.
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said: "Horse racing is not just the country's second-favourite sport, it's something deeply embedded in our way of life. It is a sport that is hugely deserving of Government support."
Sean Trivass, chair of the Horseracing Bettors Forum, said the cruelty argument did not stand up.
"From blacksmiths to hospitality staff — this multi-billion-pound industry employs thousands of people. The horses are some of the best looked-after animals. They have spent decades fine-tuning the sport to make it safer. I see the cruelty as a poor argument. Why deprive millions from a flutter they enjoy and the opportunity to socialise," he said.
Should the Greens ever find themselves in a position to govern, the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot would join the Grand National on the endangered list.
