Law Reform

PALS advocates for bans on jumps racing

After the death of three horses at the Warrnambool racing carnival in early May 2009, jumps racing became a hot political issue in Victoria. Much of the general public became outraged by images of fallen horses collapsing onto racetracks. Major animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and Animals Australia campaigned against it, and the Board of Racing Victoria arranged a meeting to discuss whether to implement a ban on the sport. Unfortunately, the Board decided to continue jumps racing, but the fight to end it will continue.

Cruelty in jumps racing
Jumps racing regularly results in horrific injuries to horses including musculoskeletal breakdown, internal bleeding, exhaustion and death. 13 horses died on Victorian jumps racing tracks during the 2008 season, and the risk of death is 10–20 times higher than for flat racing starters.

As far ago as 1991, a Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare noted the 'significant probability of a horse suffering serious injury or even death' as a result of participating in jumps racing. It noted the evidence that 'even with improvements to the height and placing of jumps, training and education the fatality rate would remain constant'. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that there is an 'inherent conflict' between jumps racing and animal welfare, and called upon State Governments to phase out the practice over the following three years (ie by 1994).

While most other jurisdictions have banned jumps racing, Victoria has lagged behind. Instead, Victoria has implemented a range of safety recommendations, which have failed to prevent frequent injuries and deaths. 

Involvement of PALS@PILCH
PALS@PILCH wrote a submission to Racing Victoria and Racing Minister Rob Hulls calling for a ban on jumps racing. We referred to the cruelty issues, the legal position in other Australian jurisdictions, and noted that jumps racing is 'an archaic practice that is out of step with community values and expectations'.

Unfortunately Racing Victoria chose to allow jumps racing to continue into the future. As such, PALS@PILCH is currently considering legal avenues for a renewed fight against the practice. We are liaising with other animal protection organisations to determine how we might proceed. Like other concerned groups, PALS@PILCH is determined to see an end to this cruel and unnecessary sport.