Renewed optimism around jumps future as Racing Victoria board set to consider annual review

Racing Victoria has confirmed the future of jumps racing.

Affluential winning the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown Lakeside in August. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

UPDATE: Racing Victoria has confirmed the future of jumps racing.

As reported by this masthead on Thursday, the Jumps Racing Review has resolved to continue the discipline with safety and operational enhancements.

RV will establish a Jumps Taskforce to oversee the implementation of 11 recommendations and review jumps racing’s performance against equine and economic metrics.

The recommendations include a shortened season, the use of tracks specifically prepared for jumps racing, the placement of the obstacles, increased competitiveness of trials to better replicate race conditions and formal schooling sessions.

RV chairman Tim Eddy confirmed the continuation of jumps racing on Friday.

“This decision reflects our recognition of jumps racing’s cultural and economic significance to regional Victoria, particularly its vital role in events such as the Warrnambool May Carnival,” Eddy said.

Jumps will be limited to Warrnambool, Terang, Hamilton, Casterton, Coleraine, Sandown and Ballarat — with Pakenham to transition out of the schedule after the 2025 season, “or earlier if possible”, and Sale removed from the fixture.

The overall financial performance of jumps racing will be investigated by the taskforce and include a reduction in net operational costs and overall prizemoney.There will be about 62 jumps races held in 2025 — down from 72 — once the fixture is finalised.

“We are committed to ensuring jumps racing continues to evolve, with safety, integrity, and sustainability at the forefront of every decision we make,” Eddy said.

The 2024 jumps racing season finished with nine horse deaths including two in trials.

The average horse fatality rate for the preceding three completed seasons to 2023 in Victoria was 2.33 (seven in total).

ORIGINAL STORY: Victorian jumps racing could be spared with a renewed optimism around the sport’s future.

Racing Victoria directors will meet on Thursday to discuss a report produced by the Jumps Review Group (JRG) on the viability of the equestrian discipline.

A spike in jumps racing deaths last winter triggered an in-depth review, over and above annual audits, and prompted talk of Victorian jumps racing being axed within three years.

This masthead understands the JRG report to RV does not recommend a jumps ban but rather safety and welfare measures to help the code move forward.

The height and placement of obstacles has been closely explored, along with jumps races being held at specialist circuits to ensure suitably watered tracks.

A combination of flat and jumps on single race cards, coupled with a drier than usual Victorian autumn and winter, especially in the western district, contributed to firmer-than-desired tracks.

Submissions to the JRG included a greater use of “island” hurdles and fences, placed away from the inside rail, to afford horses and riders an exit strategy.

Fields tend to race tighter and faster, similar to flat events, with obstacles hard up on the rail.

Stern Idol launches at a fence en route to victory in the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool earlier this year. Photo: George Sal/Getty Images.

Island fences, successfully used at the prized Warrnambool May Carnival, Pakenham and Sandown respectively, allow riders to find room approaching and beyond the jumps.

One of three tragic horse deaths at the season-ending Grand National Steeplechase card at Ballarat on August 25 could be attributed to rail placement.

The fallen horse sustained a catastrophic injury from being landed on by the next runner over the fence.

Higher hurdles would also slow the field down and lend to safer racing.

Track preparation is also easier with island fences as the outside lanes could be adequately watered for jumps, with the inside rail preserved for flat races.

The field goes over a hedge obstacle at Casterton. Photo: Pat Scala/Getty Images.

Victorian jumps racing last underwent a major safety standards overhaul in 2010.

The average horse fatality rate for three completed jumps seasons to 2023 in Victoria was 2.33 (seven in total).

The 2024 season finished with seven deaths and a further two in trials.

The JRG, chaired by RV integrity chief Jamie Stier, has reviewed jumps racing from a “broader, whole-of-business approach” based on equine and economic metrics.

Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll has overseen the review process.

The Australian Jumps Racing Association participated in the review with its submission.

The RV executive and board will ultimately decide the fate of jumps racing in the state.

Victoria has been the only Australian racing jurisdiction to hold jumps races since South Australia banned the discipline in 2022 due to a drop in participation.

Originally published as Renewed optimism around jumps future as Racing Victoria board set to consider annual review