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Shock jumps racing ban slammed

Posted on November 30, 2009, 1:01pm and updated on December 1, 2009 at 8:21 am

A veteran Mount Gambier jumps racing trainer has described a decision by Racing Victoria Limited to ban the sport after 2010 as an “absolute bombshell” for the local industry.

Jumps trainer John O’Connor, from Mingbool, described the decision as a shock and said it could lead to the demise of jumps racing in South Australia.

The decision by Victoria’s peak racing body follows 10 horse deaths during races and compulsory trials this year.

The stunning announcement is also expected to devastate the small Casterton Racing Club that boasts the only live steeplechase hedges in Australia.

Mr O’Connor, whose family has been a major part of the jumps racing landscape in the district for more than 100 years, said massive protests were likely.

“The jumps racing industry will not just lay down and let it die without a fight,” said Mr O’Connor, who has won a string of steeplechases at Mount Gambier’s Gold Cup carnival.

“The Victorian board is in for a bit of a shock.”

The outspoken trainer said the problem was linked to the number and type of fences that were being used in Victoria.

He said fences were bolder in England, which encouraged horses to jump higher over the barriers and not just spear through them like what was happening in Victoria.

“I only had to destroy one horse during my years as a trainer,” said Mr O’Connor, who has been training jumps horses for more than 50 years.

“If they spear through the brush fences and only land on one leg they are in big trouble because they move with such speed.

“At the moment they are taking the fences too cheaply.”

He said the decision meant a “lot of worry” for local jumps trainers and it came without warning.

“I think it can survive in South Australia for another three years,” Mr O’Connor said.

He also described Racing Victoria Limited as having too much power over the industry.

Mount Gambier jumps trainer Richard Nicholson also expressed his disappointment with the announcement.

“The decision will have a dramatic impact on the industry,” Mr Nicholson said.

He doubted whether jumps racing would survive in Mount Gambier because it relied on jockeys and horses from Victoria to boost numbers.

Regarding claims the sport was cruel, Mr Nicholson said: “Horses who do not want to jump, won’t jump.”

He said such suggestions were being made from “ill-informed people”.

Meanwhile, the Board of Thoroughbred Racing SA — the controlling body for horse racing in South Australia — has expressed its disappointment at the Victorian decision.

Chairman Philip Bentley said the decision would have major ramifications for the South Australian jumps racing industry in the next few years.

“The decision of Racing Victoria Limited will go down in history as the beginning of the end of a proud tradition,” Mr Bentley said.

“Jumps races have been a part of the thoroughbred industry almost from its inception and now the leaders of the heartland of jumps racing have said after 2010 there will be no more.

“This decision is most regrettable and is not a moment to be proud of.”

While facing a huge hurdle, Mr Bentley said Thoroughbred Racing SA did not intend to copy Victoria’s decision.

“The Victorian decision also creates an unfortunate precedent for the industry, as the same group who have lobbied against jumps racing have also advocated phasing out the racing of two-year-olds,” Mr Bentley said.

“The board of Thoroughbred Racing SA supports all sectors of our industry and we will continue to program jumps racing as long as there is a supply of horses, jockeys and trainers to make race fields viable.”

He said the organisation would also attempt to attract trainers and horses from across the border.

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Comments

8 Responses to “Shock jumps racing ban slammed”

  1. Russell Bedggood on November 30th, 2009 2:29 pm 1

    The recent announcement of the banning of jumping after 2010 in Victoria comes as no surprise.

    When racing is being run by both former and current politicians whose only agenda is to ingratiate themselves with ill-informed do-gooders and rabid animal activists the end result is plain for all to see.

    Rather than acknowledge that ever-increasing reviews and kneejerk reactions to them were ruining both the spectacle and quality of the event, a head in the sand attitude has been allowed to prevail.

    Five years ago the abandonment of our jumping nursery in the form of point-to-point events heralded the denigration of jumps racing, culminating into today’s sorry situation.

    Yes Des Gleeson, this was on your watch!

  2. Shirley Frew on November 30th, 2009 5:17 pm 2

    Its time Victoria Racing Clubs. Stood up for these ones livings you have Jockeys Trainers ‚stroppers, and Owners.Also will effect Blacksmiths and many more.
    They have supported you right through and now you are playing with these peoples lives. I can see alot of racing Stables coming to NewZealand where they can race jumpers and use their whips how they like..
    Its a Sport of Kings look at England France.and many more.

    Come to NewZealand

  3. Ken on November 30th, 2009 8:01 pm 3

    Talking through your pockets, both of you. I am neither an “animal activist ” nor an “ill-informed do-gooder”, but I agree wholeheartedly with the decision. Perhaps if you were made to run a course, and when you fall and break a leg, I were to come and blow your brains out, you might have a different perspective. It is well known that the majority of people in the racing “industry” have little regard for their animals, so the controlling body needs to take matters into its own hands.

  4. JaydenC. on December 1st, 2009 1:11 am 4

    Absolutely agree with Ken.

    It’s just disappointing South Australia is now the lone state lagging behind the rest of the country.

    Mr O’Connor only had to kill one horse as a trainer… is that all? Fantastic…
    At any rate, I think the phenomenal death rates are pretty well known, and it seems only a matter of time until a jockey comes to serious grief as well.

    Russell Bedggood, politicians aren’t integrating themselves with “ill-informed do-gooders” and “rabid animal activists” –that wouldn’t get them elected. They’re actually going for what I would think the majority of the general public wants –you’re actually the one in the loud, self-interested minority this time.

    Well done Victoria, it’s about time.

  5. Shane on December 1st, 2009 9:23 am 5

    There are a number of factors at play here, politics certainly is one of them. Do not be confused the Racing Industry has had this situation on it’s horizon for over 10 years now and made no attempt to mitigate the injuries or deaths of animals.

    It is not surprising that this situation has been forced upon them, I’m not a racing fan nor am I particularly fond of jumps racing, if it’s safe for Horse and rider then let them run but if it isn’t either make it safer or suffer the consequences.

    I would have exactly the same attitude to Showjumping if that sport caused the death of 10 or a dozen animals each year.

    Frankly I would have much prefferred sorting out the obstacle issue rather than cancelling the events altogether, but that’s petty politics for you.

  6. Maybe on December 1st, 2009 1:59 pm 6

    Well done Victoria. Perhaps I’m one of the “RABID” ones, but this is long overdue.

    We used to publicly stone people too. Thank god we evolve!

  7. Will Gratton on December 2nd, 2009 11:23 pm 7

    The $100,000 that goes to Oakbank and the $60,000 that goes to Warrnambool, will they be there if there are no jumps races?

    No, make the jumps bigger. How can Racing Victoria cave in to 16 people? Long live jumps racing.

  8. JaydenC. on December 4th, 2009 10:58 pm 8

    Will, I think the cause enjoys pretty significant public support beyond 16 people actually…

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