Here’s a story that’s bound to spark some heated debates: Keli Holiday, the boyfriend of outspoken anti-horse racing advocate Abbie Chatfield, has canceled his performance at Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse after facing accusations of hypocrisy. But here’s where it gets controversial—was this decision truly his, or did Chatfield’s strong stance against the racing industry play a role? Let’s dive in.
Keli Holiday, one half of the electronic music duo Peking Duk and the creator of the hit song Dancing2, was scheduled to perform at The Championships Day on April 4. The event, hosted by the Australian Turf Club (ATC), was expected to draw a large crowd of racegoers. However, just 24 hours after the announcement, the ATC revealed that Holiday’s performance had been canceled. According to the club, Holiday’s management informed them of his decision to withdraw, though fans and critics alike are speculating whether his partner’s vocal opposition to horse racing influenced the move.
Abbie Chatfield, a 27-year-old podcast host and influencer, has been an outspoken critic of the racing industry. In 2022, she took to Instagram to express her disbelief at celebrities attending Derby Day in Melbourne. ‘Guys, I thought we were done with the races,’ she said. ‘I thought that wasn’t a thing anymore. Like, why are so many people going to the races? What the hell?’ Chatfield even revealed that she had turned down lucrative offers to attend race days, stating, ‘I was offered a lot of money, and I said absolutely not. It’s so random, it’s so weird… It isn’t even fun.’
The timing of Holiday’s cancellation is hard to ignore. Just a day before the announcement, the ATC faced intense backlash for booking Holiday, given his partner’s public stance. An ATC spokesperson initially defended the decision, stating that Holiday’s ‘popularity with a young demographic’ would attract new fans to the races. But as the controversy grew, the club ultimately pulled the plug on the performance.
And this is the part most people miss: While some fans believe Chatfield directly pressured Holiday to cancel, others argue that the decision highlights the complexities of balancing personal relationships with public commitments. Did Holiday genuinely change his mind, or was this a move to avoid further scrutiny? The internet is buzzing with theories.
One fan commented, ‘Abbie didn’t want Keli performing at the races!’ while another quipped, ‘Bloke must be in the doghouse or something.’ Others pointed out the irony, with one person stating, ‘Shows how hypocritical the anti-racing mob can be, really?’
Holiday’s recent success, including his hit Dancing2 reaching number two on the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2025, has solidified his place in the music industry. The song, an intimate love letter to Chatfield, draws from their shared journey. Raised in Canberra, Holiday has also achieved significant milestones with Peking Duk, winning two ARIA awards for their singles High and Stranger. Last year, the band boasted 5.2 million listeners across 183 countries on Spotify.
Here’s the burning question: Is it fair to label Holiday a hypocrite for initially agreeing to perform, or should we acknowledge the challenges of navigating personal and professional boundaries? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
