Oakbank Racing Club committee to learn its fate after stopping jumps racing

The Oakbank Racing Club committee will learn its fate on Tuesday after it stopped historic steeplechase races last year.

Oakbank Racing Club’s committee is about to learn its fate over a controversial decision to stop jumps racing.

The club will hold a special general meeting on Tuesday to determine if the committee, led by Adelaide solicitor Arabella Branson, should resign.

Disgruntled members first called for the meeting last September when the committee agreed to remove jumps events at the request of racing’s controlling body, Racing SA.

The recent Oakbank Easter Carnival was the first time its two key events, the Great Eastern Steeplechase and von Doussa Steeplechase, had not been held in over 140 years.

Oakbank Racing Club chairwoman Arabella Branson, pictured with South Australia’s Governor, Frances Adamson AC, at the Oakbank Easter Saturday Racing Carnival in April. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Ms Branson said the committee would resign immediately if that was the majority vote by members.

“We believe we have a clear vision for a vibrant and sustainable future for Oakbank,” she said.

“It is our view that a pro-jumps committee in a no-jumps state is a dead end for Oakbank, but the views of our members are important to us.”

A two-day trial between three life members and the Oakbank committee over its handling of the jumps decision is due to begin in the Supreme Court next week.

Mega gallery: Oakbank Easter Carnival

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