Racing Victoria to conduct broader review of jumps racing after ‘heartbreaking’ fatalities

An “unacceptable” season of jumps racing where jockeys were injured and horses had to be put down has lead Racing Victoria to review the sport and consider its future.

Racing Victoria will expand its annual review of jumps racing after an “unacceptable” 2024 season. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Racing Victoria will conduct a more extensive review of jumps racing after an “unacceptable” 2024 season that culminated in a “heartbreaking” Ballarat meeting with jockeys injured and horses put down.

At a Ballarat jumps meeting on August 25, two jockeys were hospitalised and three horses were euthanised over six races.

Several other riders came off their animals, and others horses were injured.

Because of an increase in fatalities throughout the whole year, the 2024 Racing Victoria review of jumps racing will be broader than usual, taking a “whole-of-business approach”, the organisation said.

A newly formed Jumps Review Group, to be chaired by Racing Victoria’s integrity executive general manager Jamie Stier and Victorian Racing Integrity board chair Justice Jack Forrest, will provide a report and recommendations about whether jumps racing should continue in Victoria and whether changes might be made to improve its safety.

The group will also analyse the economics, attendance, and community acceptance of the sport.

Its report will be given to Racing Victoria by the end of November and decisions on its advice will be made by the end of the year.

Racing Victoria chair Tim Eddy. Picture: Racing Victoria

Racing Victoria chairman Tim Eddy said the 2024 jumps racing season had an “unacceptable” safety record, and that the final Ballarat meeting was “heartbreaking for all involved in the Victoria jumps racing community”.

“Many people have worked incredibly hard to make the sport as safe as it can be and had achieved marked improvement across the 14 years prior to this season when we took a backwards step,’’ he said.

“To that end, in addition to the work done annually by the Jumps Review Panel, the Board has commissioned a wider review to be led by Jamie Stier that will take a detailed look at all elements of jumps racing in Victoria.

“The Jumps Review Group has been asked to consider, among other things, participation rates, industry support, community attitudes, financial returns, the safety record of the sport and the measures in place to promote safe racing.

“This thorough review has commenced this week, and its outcomes will be informed by the process – with no outcome off the table at this time.”

Anyone wishing to make a submission for review may email [e-mail] by October 24.

Victoria is the only Australian state that allows jumps racing.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses said 12 jumps horses died in 2024, counting eight fatalities in 73 racedays, two fatalities during trials, and two during training.

It said 28 horses suffered falls, 51 horses failed to finish their race, and 22 jockeys otherwise fell from their horses.