Ruqayyah Snyder
Jumps racing, also known as steeplechase racing, is a type of horse racing that originated in Ireland and involves horses jumping over large fences and ditches. While jumps racing is currently only permitted in Victoria, Australia, it has faced bans in other states such as South Australia, New South Wales, and, partially, in Victoria itself. The bans have been attributed to various factors, including public concerns about animal welfare, a decline in popularity, and economic viability. With a history of horse injuries and deaths, jumps racing has sparked debates around the potential risks associated with the sport and the need for public support and government intervention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jumps racing banned in South Australia | Yes |
| Year | 2022 |
| Reason | Public opposition due to the number of falls and deaths |
| Other states where jumps racing is banned | New South Wales |
| Only state in Australia where jumps racing is allowed | Victoria |
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What You'll Learn
Jumps racing banned in South Australia
Jumps racing has been banned in South Australia, with the state government supporting a Greens bill to outlaw the sport. The decision to ban jumps racing was made in October 2021, with the industry body, Racing SA, citing economic viability and declining participation levels as the main reasons. The ban was also influenced by public sentiment, as many found the number of falls and deaths of horses unacceptable.
The state parliament reflected the changing attitudes towards jumps racing, with Deputy Premier Susan Close stating that the community and the racing industry had given up on the sport some time ago. The ban provides certainty to the racing industry, distinguishing it from the accidents associated with jumps racing. It is important to note that flat racing and other equestrian disciplines, such as show jumping, are not affected by the ban.
The Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival, one of the most popular horse races in South Australia, will be impacted by the ban on jumps racing. Some believe that the event will be killed, while others argue that it will make the races more popular as people who were uncomfortable with the treatment of horses during jumps racing may now return.
With the ban, South Australia has become the second state to outlaw jumps racing, following New South Wales. Victoria, which includes Melbourne, remains the only Australian state where jump racing is permitted. However, there are ongoing efforts by organizations such as PETA and Animal Australia to end jumps racing in Victoria as well, due to concerns over the welfare of horses and the high rate of injuries and deaths.
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Victoria is the only state where jumps racing is allowed
Jumps racing, also known as steeplechase racing, is a type of horse racing that involves horses jumping over diverse fence and ditch obstacles. While it originated in Ireland and the United Kingdom, it has since spread to other countries, including Australia. However, there has been a recent trend of Australian states banning the sport due to welfare concerns and a decline in popularity.
In July 2022, South Australia became the second state to ban jumps racing, following New South Wales. The state government supported a Greens bill to outlaw the sport, and the decision was made in response to declining participation levels and public concern over the number of falls and deaths of horses. With South Australia and New South Wales banning the sport, Victoria is now the only state in Australia that still allows jumps racing.
The future of jumps racing in Victoria is uncertain, as animal welfare organisations and members of the public have called for it to be banned. In 2021, one in ten jumps horses in Victoria fell and sustained serious injuries, and one in thirty-eight horses died on the track. Despite these concerns, the Victorian government has not yet taken any steps to outlaw the sport. It is worth noting that flat racing and other equestrian disciplines, such as show jumping, are not prohibited in any Australian state.
While some may argue that jumps racing is a traditional sport that provides a second career for horses, others believe that the welfare of the horses should be prioritised. The banning of jumps racing in South Australia and New South Wales reflects a shift in public attitude towards animal welfare and a growing intolerance for the risks associated with the sport. It remains to be seen whether Victoria will follow suit and ban jumps racing, or whether it will continue to allow the sport to take place within the state.
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Public opinion influenced the ban
Jumps racing has been banned in South Australia, with the state government supporting a bill to outlaw the sport completely. This decision was influenced by public opinion, as the community and the racing industry had turned away from jumps racing due to concerns about animal welfare and the number of falls and deaths. The ban provides certainty to the racing industry and helps to distinguish it from the accidents associated with jumps racing.
Public opinion played a significant role in the ban on jumps racing in South Australia. The sport had fallen out of favour with the public due to concerns about animal welfare and the high number of falls and deaths. In a statement, the deputy premier of South Australia, Susan Close, acknowledged that "the community and the racing industry gave up on jumps racing some time ago, and the parliament is reflecting this change in attitudes." This shift in public sentiment was driven by increasing concerns about animal rights and welfare, with people finding the number of falls and deaths of horses unacceptable.
The ban on jumps racing in South Australia was also influenced by the declining popularity of the sport. Racing SA, the industry body, had effectively ended jumps racing in the state in 2021, citing unsustainable participation levels. The number of horses and jockeys involved in jumps racing had decreased, and the sport had lost its economic viability. This decline in participation contributed to the changing public attitudes towards jumps racing and the eventual decision to ban the sport.
The public's concerns about animal welfare extended beyond jumps racing to the equestrian industry as a whole. The ban on jumps racing in South Australia was described as a "'salutary reminder' to the industry of the potential consequences of failing to address welfare concerns. It highlighted the importance of placing the welfare of horses at the centre of all practices and maintaining public support. By addressing these concerns, the industry could ensure its long-term health and popularity.
The ban on jumps racing in South Australia was also influenced by the desire to create certainty for the racing industry. By outlawing the sport through legislation, the South Australian government provided clarity and distinguished the industry from the accidents associated with jumps racing. This decision helped to address the uncertainty and internal turmoil within the industry regarding the future of jumps racing.
Overall, the ban on jumps racing in South Australia was influenced by shifting public attitudes and concerns about animal welfare, as well as the declining popularity of the sport. The decision to outlaw jumps racing reflected the changing opinions of the community and the racing industry, with the government responding to these shifts in public opinion.
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Welfare concerns for horses
Jumps racing in Australia has been criticised for its welfare concerns for horses. Jumps racing involves horses racing at speed over long distances of at least 2.8 km and clearing obstacles at least 1 metre in height. Horses are required to carry heavier weights than in flat races, and the risk of collision with other horses is high. These factors contribute to a higher rate of injury and death for horses in jumps racing compared to flat racing. From 2009 to 2021, at least 76 horses died as a direct result of participating in jumps racing in Australia, with the true toll believed to be higher.
One of the main welfare concerns is the physical and mental stress inflicted on the horses. As prey animals, horses rely on their speed and agility to escape danger. Any circumstance that impacts their ability to flee, such as jumping or landing awkwardly, falling, or colliding with obstacles or other horses, is likely to induce stress. The percentage of horses hitting obstacles and/or landing awkwardly is higher than the fall rate, which was reported as 3% for the 2022-2023 season in Victoria. In addition, the use of whips in jumps racing has been criticised for potentially causing physical pain and injury and inducing fear and anxiety in the horses. A study in the UK showed that horses being whipped while jumping hurdles or steeplechase races were at least 7 times more likely to fall than those not being whipped. Despite this evidence, there is currently no limit on the number of whip strikes in the final 100 metres of a jumps race in Australia.
Another concern is the lack of adequate assessment and monitoring of horse fitness and capability. A review of the history of horses that have died while competing in jumps races indicates that assessment processes may be inadequate or not fully implemented. Evidence shows that over three seasons (2012-2014) in Victoria and South Australia, 22% of horses competed in only one race, suggesting that many horses are not fit or capable of safely participating in multiple jumps races. The self-regulation of the horse racing industry in terms of animal welfare has raised concerns about the adequacy of monitoring and enforcement, particularly in the absence of appropriate standards and legal protection for racehorses under state-based animal welfare legislation.
The high turnover rate of racehorses is also a welfare concern. The racing industry depends on breeding a large number of horses, many of which may leave prematurely due to poor performance, injuries, or other reasons. The majority of racehorses have a short racing career of only 2-3 years, despite being bred specifically for racing. The fate of these horses after they leave the industry raises serious welfare concerns. The RSPCA advocates for responsible breeding practices, including reducing the number of racehorses bred and providing suitable alternative roles or retirement provisions to ensure their long-term welfare.
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The future of jumps racing in Australia
Jumps racing, also known as steeplechase or National Hunt racing, has a long history in Australia, dating back to the 19th century. However, in recent years, the future of this sport has come under scrutiny due to safety concerns and changing public attitudes towards animal welfare.
In July 2022, a significant development took place when South Australia officially banned jumps racing, becoming the second state after New South Wales to outlaw the sport. The decision was driven by declining public support and concerns over the welfare of the horses. According to the Deputy Premier of South Australia, Susan Close, the community and the racing industry had "given up on jumps racing" due to the high number of falls and deaths among the horses. The ban was supported by animal welfare organisations such as PETA and the RSPCA, who considered the sport cruel and dangerous.
As a result of the ban in South Australia, Victoria is now the only Australian state where jumps racing is still permitted. However, there are ongoing campaigns and petitions by animal welfare groups, such as Horse Racing Kills and PETA, to end jumps racing in Victoria as well. These campaigns argue that jumps racing is inherently cruel and that the horses involved suffer serious injuries and death at a much higher rate compared to flat racing.
Despite the concerns and bans in some states, there are also efforts to improve the safety of jumps racing. For example, the introduction of safer equipment, such as French Brush steeples and the OneFit hurdle from England, has led to the safest year in jumps racing in over 20 years. Additionally, changes in hurdle take-off colours to white have improved visibility for horses, and the use of Irish Easyfix fences in Victoria has enhanced education outcomes for horses undergoing jumping training.
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Frequently asked questions
Jumps racing is banned in South Australia under the state's Animal Welfare Act. Victoria is the only Australian state that still permits jumps racing.
Jumps racing, also known as jump racing or National Hunt racing, is a type of horse racing that involves horses jumping over fences and ditches. The sport originated in Ireland and was first recorded in 1752.
Jumps racing was banned in South Australia due to declining public support and concerns over the number of falls and deaths. The industry body, Racing SA, cited economic viability and declining numbers of horses and jockeys as reasons for ending the sport.
Horses are injured and die at a much higher rate in jumps racing compared to flat racing. In Victoria, 1 in 38 jumps horses was killed on the track, and 1 in 10 sustained serious injuries.
