28 Nov 2009

NZ retains jumps horse racing despite Australian ban

5:49 pm on 28 November 2009

Jumps races will continue in New Zealand despite Victoria becoming the fifth Australian state to ban steeplechase and hurdles horse racing.

After next year, South Australia will be the only Australian state still allowing such races. Victoria, where 20 horses have died during the last two jumping seasons, has just decided to abolish them.

A spokesperson for New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Simon Cooper, says far from banning jump racing, his organisation has been trying to revive the sport in New Zealand.

He says the Australian style of jump is the major cause of the high fatality rate across the Tasman.

"The new fences they brought in a few years ago in Australia are brushes, in effect: the horses can go straight through them...they don't really pick their feet up to the extent that they do in New Zealand."

Consequently, Mr Cooper says, the horses in Australia hit the fences at much greater speed, with greater risk of falling and injuring themselves.

Decision hailed by animal welfare groups

Members of the Victorian racing industry have called the decision appalling and unbelievable but it has been hailed by animal welfare groups, which have been vigorously campaigning for the ban.

The ABC reports that 10 horses died during races and compulsory trials this year, making it the worst season for horse deaths and falls in many years.

Racing Victoria chairman Michael Duffy says the decision was "extremely tough" for the board. A programme of highweight races will be scheduled for the 2011 season to assist with the transition for jockeys, trainers and horses.

Thoroughbred Racing South Australia chairman Philip Bentley says his state has no intention of imposing a ban but he has fears for the industry's survival.