Media Release
29 September 2008
Animals Australia applauds decision to suspend hurdle races
Leading animal protection group Animals Australia has welcomed the news that Racing
Victoria has abandoned further hurdle races for the 2008 season. The decision resulted
from an interim assessment by former Country Court Judge David Jones who is conducting a
review of jumps racing after intervention by Racing Minister Rob Hulls.
Animals Australia’s Executive Director Glenys Oogjes states:
“Twelve horses have died in jumps races in Victoria this year. The facts speak for
themselves and Judge Jones’ obvious concern is based on these facts – horses racing over
obstacles at 50 km an hour fall. We welcome Racing Victoria’s interim decision, but question
why it was not made earlier when horses were consistently falling and being destroyed. If
they had, these healthy horses would still be alive today.”
Two cruelty complaints have been lodged by Animals Australia over the deaths of jumps
horses Crying Storm and Spanish Symbol. The complaints, currently being investigated by
the RSPCA, allege that the owners and trainers of these horses breached Section 9 (1) (c) of
the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act which states that it is a cruelty offence if
.. A person does or omits to do an act with the result that unreasonable pain or suffering is
caused, or is likely to be caused, to an animal.
“This decision of Racing Victoria to voluntarily suspend hurdles races due to welfare concerns
only confirms the validity of these cruelty complaints. The risk of injury and death to horses
forced to jump fences at high speed are ever present and clearly known by those who enter
horses in these races. State animal cruelty legislation is being breached every time a jumps
race is held.
“The Brumby government has no choice but to now totally ban all jumps races – both hurdles
and steeple jumps races – for legal and ethical reasons”, Ms Oogjes concluded.
For media comment:
Glenys Oogjes Executive Director, Animals Australia Mob: 0414 312 552
Animals Australia Office 03 9329 6333
Animals Australia Inc. 37 O’Connell Street, North Melbourne 3051
NEWS 
