Jumps racing is a cruel and dangerous sport. Horses are forced to run at high speeds and jump obstacles as part of a spectacle.
The jumps racing issue has recently exploded as 13 horses died last year, and another 4 have died withing 4 days in 2009! Jumps racing now only exists in two states in Australia - Victoria and South Australia - and is considered illegal and can warrant imprisonment in other states!
There have been three reviews of jumps racing in the last 8 years, each bringing in 'safety changes.' It is clear that the safety changes are not working, and can never work. Jumps racing is a dangerous sport which knowingly plays Russian Roulette with horse's lives.
We are calling on the Minister for Racing to ban jumps racing as he has said that the industry is 'on notice.' As horses continue to die, it is time for him to serve that notice.
Dear Hon. Rob Hulls, Mr Paul Bloodworth, Mr Rob Hines and Mr Michael Duffy,
We the undersigned are calling for an immediate ban on Jumps Racing to prevent further injuries and deaths.
I was appalled to hear that 4 Victorian Jumps horses were killed in 4 days from April 23rd to April 26th. With 20 falls this year and already 4 deaths, Jumps Racing cannot be allowed to continue. I am also aware that 13 horses died in Jumps Racing and Trials in 2008.
Statistics obtained from the Racing Victoria website show that there have been more falls compared to this time last year %u2013 a strong warning that if Jumps Racing is allowed to continue, there is likely to be more falls and fatalities than 2008, which we all know was the worst year for Jumps Racing since 2001.
Despite the review and %u2018safer changes%u2019 recommended by Judge Jones, Jumps Racing is not any safer, proven by the unfortunate incidences that have occurred over the last week. I urge you as the decision makers of Racing Operations to suspend all future Jumps Races.
