Racing Victoria has conceded its “security file regressed” within the 2024 jumps racing season after three horses needed to be euthanased on a single day of racing.
The Coalition for the Safety of Racehorses stated the 2024 Grand Nationwide Steeplechase on Sunday at Ballarat was the deadliest day in Victorian jumps racing historical past.
In 2008, the Grand Nationwide Hurdle occasion at Flemington Racecourse noticed two horses euthanased.
Racing Victoria stated in an announcement that the three horses, Mighty Oasis, Maserartie Bay and Buffalo Invoice, have been humanely put down after sustaining severe accidents in Race 1, Race 4, and Race 6, on the Ballarat Turf Membership on Sunday.
“While the deadly incident price in Victorian jumps racing lowered by over 60 per cent from 2009 to 2023, there is no such thing as a denying that the security file regressed within the 2024 jumps season,” the assertion stated.
The Coalition for the Safety of Racehorses picketed exterior the jumps meet on Sunday. (Provided: Coalition for the Safety of Racehorses )
In response to Racing Victoria, there have been seven fatalities of horses throughout the 2024 jumps season.
Nonetheless, the Coalition for the Safety of Racehorses informed the ABC, 12 horses in whole had been euthanased throughout the season, with 5 horse fatalities occurring throughout monitor work and coaching.
Throughout Ballarat race meet on Sunday, two jockeys have been additionally injured.
Lee Horner stays in a Melbourne hospital in a severe situation. Fellow jockey Will Gordon was transported to the Ballarat Base Hospital with an higher physique harm.
Modifications have been made to jumps racing in 2010 to enhance security within the business, together with a change to the hurdles themselves.
Previous to the adjustments, Racing Victoria stated the state averaged 9.3 horse fatalities per season.
Animal welfare advocates are pleading with the state authorities to ditch jumps racing as an entire.
“This sport is simply means too harmful and needs to be banned instantly,” stated Elio Celotto, Marketing campaign Director on the Coalition for the Safety of Racehorses.
“It is a easy repair. Do away with jumps racing, change it with high-weight, flat races. You have solved the issue, and nobody has misplaced any jobs.”
Racing Victoria will undertake a assessment of the 2024 jumps racing season.
Every deadly incident from the steeplechase on Sunday may even be reviewed by the Jumps Assessment Panel together with a autopsy anticipated on every animal.
South West Victoria noticed sunny and gentle climate overtaken by heavy storms late on Sunday afternoon, however Mr Celotto denied this had any impression on the racing.
A horse jumps a hurdle in Warrnambool, 2018. (Provided: Racing Pictures )
“We have been there, together with round 30 individuals protesting out the entrance [of Ballarat Racecourse],” he stated.
“It was a beautiful day, a bit windy and wet towards the tip however nothing you’d contemplate a hazard for horse racing in any respect.
“We’ll be sending an e mail to the CEO of Racing Victoria and to [Racing Minister] Anthony Carbines, requesting a gathering as quickly as doable.”
The state authorities dedicated $3 million to infrastructure upgrades at racecourses throughout western Victoria.
In Could this 12 months, a brand new coaching monitor on the Ballarat Racecourse was unveiled. The federal government offered greater than $1.3 million to the mission.
In 2022, South Australia banned jumps racing, with Racing SA saying the business was “unsustainable” resulting from declining numbers of each horses and jockeys.
Victoria is the final state in Australia to run jumps racing.
The ABC has contacted Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines, for remark. The Ballarat Turf Membership declined to remark.
