The casual sports fan, the once-a-year punter, and the "theatregoer" will turn up on the big race days, enjoy having a drink, a bet, dressing up and having a good time.

Who wouldn't?

For the rest of the time, racing lives in its own bubble: of the world but often seeming not to be part of it.

It has its own traditions and ways of doing things, and often scoffs or is defensive about criticism from outsiders.

So often anyone who points the finger or suggests there might be a problem is told they should keep their opinions to themselves because they are not involved and don't understand how the industry works.

That might have passed muster even a decade or so ago.

It doesn't any more.

Activists across all areas of social and political life have harnessed the power of social media and information-sharing platforms to highlight injustices, spotlight poor practices and galvanise public opinion into major protest initiatives.

The 7.30 report aired by the ABC on Thursday last week shone a light in some very dark places which those at the top of the industry would rather have stayed hidden from public gaze.

The violence that was visited upon former racehorses condemned to a brutal death in slaughter houses was appalling and the work practices there were nothing short of barbaric.

Sure, there would be animal activists whose wider agenda would almost certainly be to either ban or severely curtail the racing industry as a whole.

But all animal lovers and horse racing fans would also be horrified by the vision. All would demand action.

The ABC report showed racing in a bad light as it is the source of these horses. It showed the slaughterhouse industry in an even worse light because of the cruel and vicious methods employed.

But it is racing that will cop the most criticism and racing that has to find a solution.