To not go to the races for my friends birthday?

The risk of them breaking their legs and having to be shot is far higher.

Just tell her it’s not your thing and don’t go. Don’t tell her you object on moral grounds as that would make you a bit of a dick .

Oh goodness, veganism isn't just about what you eat!!

I'd be honest with her, I'd say that although you'd love to spend her birthday with her, you are unable to attend the races because of your veganism.

There's no point in lying about having something else on, as what if she does the races AGAIN next year!! Just tell her the truth, and if she mocks you or eye rolls or anything, you'll see what kind of friend she is to you.

It probably hasn't crossed her mind that being vegan is about more than what you put in your mouth.

shes Invited 15 people, not just you, I think it’s fair to say she won’t be too devestatesd if one or two people can’t make it. Just decline politely, it’s an invite not a summons.

"as a vegan"

They don't make you eat the horses you know.

The same way animals are bred for food…..which OP also doesn’t agree with. Everyone has a right to an opinion.

Who cares for rules around animal abuse when there's money involved.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/jockey-mark-zahra-whip-fine-31245450

This, not many horses die taking part in show jumping or dressage, many horse die horse racing.

I have been to the races (flat racing) but many years ago. My ex husband was really into it but over the years I have seen/heard about so many deaths, I can’t even watch it in the tv. Horse die every day horse racing (we only hear about a few), also many of the stables involved are also involved in fox hunting.

OP, just tell her you won’t be going because it’s not something you support or agree with.

If she is likely to ask, just be honest. You don't agree with it morally and I'm sure she knows you're vegan and should understand.

I would be honest, but in a respectful way. 'Hi friend, I would love to do something with you for your birthday but cannot attend a horse racing meeting due to my belief, and hope you can understand that. I hope we can arrange to do something else special for your birthday and can make a time to spend time to celebrate together.'

The races aren't barbaric in the slightest, the horses get treated like royalty and are bred to race

I too hate the way the jockeys whip the horses @Rollse 🥲

I’m not massively against racing but wouldn’t want to see 2 year olds running, not any National Hunt racing over whopping great fences and ditches.

The dressing up and being in heels all day would make me decline.

It’s not about interrogating friends or being intense! It’s just part of normal social conventions in many circles to explain why you can’t make it to your mates birthday /engagement party/ baby shower etc. So in her social circle, as it is in mine, it’s rude not to explain.

I’m sure this is the way OP and her friend have always communicated , so it will look strange if she suddenly doesn’t explain.

She may even wonder if something is wrong with OP, like I did when a friend did that.
The one time I can remember a friend declining a meet-up without explaining why, when I probed further it turned out they didn’t have the money but hadn’t wanted to say it in case it looked like they were hinting I pay.

I’m glad I did ask because i knew she wasn’t rude and this wasn’t her usual way of communicating. So I was then able to offer to cover their cost and they were genuinely happy and so was I.

Im not a fan of the races so I wouldn't go

I certainly wouldn’t like to be whipped the way the jockeys whip the horses during the race!

I hope by now you have declined the invite.

If you're so sure she will need chapter and verse then get on the front foot and PHONE rather than text.

Be honest, just say you're very sorry but it's not something you can do. If she really is a friend she'll respect that.

I’d say just tell her, I’m a big racing fan and I used to have membership and organise days out for groups of friends. One told me she wasn’t comfortable with it for simmiksr reasons i didn’t take offence, but she also didn’t lecture me. Given you’re a vegan I shouldn’t think it would be a surprise, the friendship works both ways, she should respect your values. Just don’t be pious about it.

"Hi Friend! Not for me but have a great time! Maybe we can celebrate another day?"

Just say you would love to celebrate her birthday but you would be uncomfortable attending the races due to vegan principles, are they going for food or drinks after that you could meet them or let you know if the plans change as you would be up for doing something else.

Then you have to tell her the truth. I'm guessing she knows you're vegan and work with animals if you're that close so it probably won't be a surprise.

I’ve been vegetarian for thirty years and I’ve always just said ‘oh you know being vego I don’t do racing/circuses/rodeos/fishing, I’ll miss this one but can’t wait to catch up’. people really are ok about it - they may well think I’m odd but they’re not rude or difficult or hurt by it.

she sounds very intense (and quite rude!)
I can't imagine interrogating my friends if they told me 'sorry I can't make it.'
similarly I can't imagine being offended if someone invited me to something and I said 'Sorry that's not my sort of thing.'