Racing Victoria has initiated a full-scale review of the 2024 jumps racing season, prompted by a devastating increase in horse fatalities. This review is a significant opportunity for animal advocates to voice their concerns and push for the end of jumps racing in Victoria. The review will assess the viability of jumps racing, focusing on safety, welfare, and public sentiment. This is our chance to advocate for meaningful change to protect horses from unnecessary harm.

How to Make a Submission

You can submit your views by emailing your comments to jumpsreviewsubmission@racingvictoria.net.au before the deadline of Thursday, 24 October 2024.

Your submission can be brief or detailed, but it is important to focus on the welfare of the horses and the broader ethical concerns surrounding jumps racing. Below are some key points and areas you could address as a guide to making your submission.

Key Issues to Address in Your Submission

1. Equine Welfare Concerns

• Fatalities and Injuries: Despite previous safety enhancements, jumps racing remains extremely dangerous, with a much higher risk of fatalities compared to flat racing. Use the 2024 season as a key example of how dangerous this "sport" is, with 12 horses killed across races, trackwork, and trials.
• Horses' Rights: Highlight that horses should not be used in a "sport" that puts their lives at such high risk. Racing Victoria should prioritise horse welfare above all else, reflecting the growing community expectation that animals in are treated with dignity and respect.
• Welfare Research: Emphasise the need for Racing Victoria to adopt the latest equine welfare research, which consistently shows that no safety measures can adequately mitigate the dangers inherent in jumps racing.

2. Public Sentiment and Community Acceptance

• Community Opposition: Public opinion is increasingly against jumps racing due to its inherent risks and cruelty. Many animal welfare groups have voiced their concerns, and their influence is growing. Refer to the declining attendance and the increased public outcry over horse deaths.
• Broader Appeal of Racing: The continuation of jumps racing harms the broader reputation of the racing industry, as many people associate it with cruelty. Banning jumps racing could restore some of the lost public trust and align the industry with modern values around animal welfare.

3. Future of Jumps Racing

• Viability of the "Sport: Jumps racing is no longer viable in Victoria, given the growing opposition, welfare concerns, and its relatively small contribution to the industry. Recommend that Racing Victoria phase out jumps racing altogether.
• Career Alternatives for Horses and Jockeys: Suggest alternative career paths for horses and jockeys involved in jumps racing. 

4. Financial and Industry Analysis

• Economic Impact: Jumps racing contributes minimally to the racing industry’s overall financial health. Public interest in jumps racing is waning, and wagering figures have steadily declined. Highlight the diminishing returns and low community participation.
• Reallocation of Resources: Suggest that resources currently dedicated to jumps racing be redirected to improving horse welfare across all racing codes, and to supporting the transition of participants into safer areas of the industry.

**These points reflect key issues in jumps racing that can assist you

• Victoria is the only state that continues jumps racing, with South Australia recently passing legislation to ban it.
• Jumps racing is 20 times more deadly for horses than flat racing. Horses regularly sustain broken legs or other serious injuries that result in their deaths, and countless others are injured.
• 12 horses were killed in jumps races, jumps trackwork, and jumps trials during the 2024 season.
• The final day of the 2024 jumps racing season was the deadliest in Victoria’s history, with 3 horses killed and 2 jockeys seriously injured.
• Jumps racing operates on a short season and provides no full-time employment to participants. All jockeys and trainers are involved in flat racing, and no horses are bred solely for jumps racing—they all come from flat racing. These races can easily be replaced with high-weight flat races, as has been done in other states.

Structuring Your Submission

1. Introduction
   Introduce yourself, your connection to Victoria, and your concern for the welfare of horses in jumps racing. You may also wish to mention that Victoria is now the only state to allow jumps racing, which further highlights the urgency of reform.

2. Main Body
   Use some or all of the points above to structure your submission, addressing the following key concerns:

   • Fatalities and Injuries: Discuss the dangerous nature of jumps racing, referencing the fact that it is 20 times more deadly than flat racing. You can also mention the specific number of deaths in 2024, including the tragic events of the season’s final day.
   • Employment and Industry Viability: Emphasise that jumps racing does not provide full-time employment and that all participants are already involved in flat racing. Transitioning to high-weight flat races is a viable alternative, as demonstrated by other states.

3. Conclusion
   Summarise your main points and recommend that jumps racing be phased out for the safety of horses and the future integrity of the racing industry. Highlight that Racing Victoria has the chance to lead by example and align the industry with modern ethical standards.

Additional Tips for Effective Submissions

• Personalise Your Submission: Whether you're a long-time racing enthusiast or a concerned citizen, sharing your personal perspective adds weight to your submission.
• Be Specific: Refer to the points provided and the Terms of Reference to keep your submission focused and impactful.
• Keep it Respectful: While it’s important to be firm in your views, maintaining a respectful tone helps ensure that your submission is taken seriously.

By participating in this review, you are contributing to a vital discussion on the future of jumps racing in Victoria. Every voice counts in pushing for a safer, more humane industry.

Submission Deadline: Thursday, 24 October 2024
Email Submissions: jumpsreviewsubmission@racingvictoria.net.au

Let’s make sure that the voices of those who care deeply about animal welfare are heard!