South Australia bans jumps racing

Legislation to ban jumps racing in South Australia has been passed in state parliament after the Labor government supported the Greens bill to put an end to jumps racing in the state.

This move comes on the back of Racing South Australia’s announcement last October that no further jump races would be scheduled in the state, citing the fact that dropping participation numbers no longer made the sport viable.

This means that, apart from impacting in other ways, the once mighty jumps component part of the Oakbank Carnival will now officially be outlawed.

This decision leaves Victoria as the only state to still have jumps racing … and, unlike their South Australian counterparts, Racing Victoria is wholly behind the jumps racing industry.

Racing Victoria’s commitment to the cause is clear for all to see with their decision to increase prizemoney for the jumps season by $850,000, and also by their rescheduling of the jumps schedule to fill gap left by the demise of jumps racing in South Australia where a race such as the Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank is now confined to the record books after 150 years

And there is no thought of taking a backward step or being intimidated in the light of developments in South Australia.

An Australian Jumps Racing Associating put their view firmly on the table when releasing the following statement.

“Jumps racing enjoyed strong participation in Victoria throughout 2021 (the last completed season), with the highest number of horses, starters and races conducted since the first round of major safety reforms in 2009-10.

“Jumps racing, with its new safety initiatives and increased prizemoney, is predicted to grow year-on-year among participants throughout the next decade.

“It continues to be a popular and enjoyable code of racing which is economically strong and, most importantly, advocates for a place of purpose for Australian and international staying horses.”

For the record, trainers in South Australia can still train horses for jumps racing, but will have to race them in Victoria.

The new law has only targeted horse racing. Show-jumping and other equestrian events are not affected.