Animal Rising protestors made the decision not to attend Royal Ascot following disruptions at the Grand National and three other high-profile racing events.

Claiming to be ‘incredibly successful’ in creating a conversation surrounding 'animal cruelty and the broken relationship with other animals and nature' the group has turned its attentions to greyhound racing.

The activist group was ‘extremely disappointed’ that officials at Ascot Racecourse reportedly failed to engage in conversation to discuss both sides of the situation.

Rory Cockshaw added: “We did toss up going to Ascot and we asked the authorities at Royal Ascot for a televised debate. A long form conversation of about 45 minutes to an hour to discuss all this and create a national conversation around our treatment of animals.

“They turned us down, saying they weren’t interested in dialogue and conversing with us to see what we have to say because we were interested in hearing what they have to say.”

Robert Gordon, 26, another spokesperson for the group said: “We are immensely disappointed to see the horseracing industry shy away from an honest offer of a televised debate to put their case to the court of public opinion.

“From research that the British Horseracing Authority commissioned themselves we know at least 20 per cent of Britons do not support the use of horses for sport."

The group affirmed the intention to disrupt the English Greyhound Derby at Towcester and have temporarily move focus to preventing greyhound racing.