Quick Read
- Musician Keli Holiday (Adam Hyde) cancelled his scheduled performance at Royal Randwick’s The Championships Day 1 on April 4.
- The cancellation followed public backlash over his acceptance of the gig, given his girlfriend Abbie Chatfield’s vocal anti-horse racing stance.
- Chatfield, a media personality, has previously criticized celebrities attending horse races and declined paid appearances at such events.
- The Australian Turf Club confirmed Holiday’s management informed them of his decision to withdraw.
- Fans and animal rights activists had accused the couple of hypocrisy after the initial booking was announced.
SYDNEY (Azat TV) – Musician Keli Holiday, also known as Adam Hyde, has cancelled his highly anticipated performance at Royal Randwick’s The Championships Day 1, scheduled for April 4. The decision, confirmed by the Australian Turf Club (ATC) on Wednesday, comes after significant public backlash and accusations of hypocrisy directed at Hyde and his partner, media personality Abbie Chatfield, known for her strong anti-horse racing views.
The Australian Turf Club released a statement confirming the withdrawal. “The Australian Turf Club (ATC) advises that the scheduled performance by Keli Holiday at The Championships Day 1 has been cancelled,” the statement read, adding, “Keli Holiday’s management has informed ATC of his decision to withdraw from the performance. We will provide further event updates where relevant.”
Keli Holiday’s Withdrawal from The Championships
Adam Hyde, a talented musician and member of the popular electronic music band Peking Duk, performs under the stage name Keli Holiday. He was booked to perform after the final race of The Championships Day 1, a prestigious event at Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse. The initial announcement of his booking by the ATC on Tuesday had quickly ignited a firestorm across social media platforms.
The controversy stemmed from Hyde’s relationship with Abbie Chatfield, a prominent media personality, podcaster, and former reality TV star, who is an outspoken critic of horse racing. Chatfield has frequently used her significant social media presence to condemn the sport, famously launching into the predictable #nuptothecup campaign during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November 2022. She had publicly called out celebrities attending race events, stating, “Guys I thought we were done with the races. I thought that wasn’t a thing anymore. Like, why are so many people going to the races. What the hell?”
Abbie Chatfield’s Anti-Racing Stance Fuels Controversy
Chatfield’s anti-racing stance was not merely vocal; she had previously claimed to have rejected ‘a lot of money’ to attend racing carnivals, declaring, “I said f*** the races.” This history made the booking of her partner, Keli Holiday, at a major racing event particularly contentious. Critics quickly pointed to the apparent contradiction, accusing the couple of hypocrisy.
Social media users and animal rights activists were swift to express their outrage. One Instagram account, ‘warriorforanimals,’ explicitly called out both Hyde and Chatfield, stating, “Keli Holiday will be performing at the races for Royal Randwick’s The Championships… Get off your high horses Abbi[e] Chatfield and Kelli Holiday!” Many fans were left confused, with comments ranging from ‘Cannot be real’ to ‘Shows how hypocritical the anti-racing mob can be really?!’ as reported by SkyNews.com.au and Daily Mail.
The Australian Turf Club’s Initial Position and Public Reaction
Prior to the cancellation, an Australian Turf Club spokesperson had defended the decision to book Keli Holiday, telling SkyNews.com.au that the choice was due to his ‘popularity with a young demographic’ and that ‘He will bring new fans to the races.’ Holiday has indeed achieved significant success, with his intimate love song ‘Dancing2,’ written for Chatfield, reaching number two on the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2025. Peking Duk, his band, boasts millions of listeners worldwide and multiple ARIA awards.
However, the ATC’s rationale was ultimately overshadowed by the intensity of the public’s reaction. The initial booking, despite its potential to attract a younger audience, proved untenable in the face of widespread criticism that highlighted the perceived ethical inconsistency. The withdrawal underscores the increasing pressure on public figures and organizations to align their actions with stated values, particularly when social and ethical issues intersect with entertainment and sport.
The swift cancellation highlights the growing influence of social media-driven public opinion in shaping commercial decisions for high-profile events, demonstrating that perceived ethical misalignments can quickly override strategic marketing objectives.