Media Release
28 June 2008
Two more horse deaths outrage jumps opponents
The Grand National Hurdle, the richest race on the Victorian jumps racing calendar, ended in tragedy today.
Only 4 of the 13 horses finished the hurdle race with a jockey on board. There were at least 6 falls and two
horses - ‘Charted’ and ‘Eveready’ - were put down on the track after injuries from heavy falls.
‘The deadly toll of jumps racing now stands at 10 horses for the season, and we again call on Minister Hulls to
stop this brutal sport’, thundered Glenys Oogjes, Executive Director of Animals Australia.
‘Apart from the high death rate, horses are falling and being injured at an alarming rate. The new-style ‘soft
top’ jumps are a spectacular failure. Sadly the ‘spectacle’ is now the falling horses and the green shrouds that
shield the public as officials put down the hapless victims.
‘Jumps racing is placing riders and horses at severe risk of death and injury. Minister Hulls has no choice –
he either accepts responsibility for the continued carnage caused by these events, or he uses his authority to
put an end to this so-called ‘sport’’, concluded Ms Oogjes.
Background:
Two weeks ago Minister for Racing Rob Hulls responded to the rising death rate (when 7 had died) and ordered
Racing Victoria to conduct a review at the end of this season.
Jumps racing is up to 20 times more dangerous than flat racing.
Previous reviews held in 2002 and 2005 and subsequent changes to the hurdles, have not worked.
The 2008 current death toll – 10 horses to date, is higher than each year since 2002.
Jumps racing now occurs only in Victoria and South Australia.
NSW banned jumps racing in 1995 and Tasmania ceased all jumps racing in 2007.
2008 horse racing jumps season deaths:-
Silver Bonanza killed 11/3/08 at Warnambool,
Victory Sweep killed 8/4/08 at Pakenham
Shades of Dane killed 12/4/08 at Hamilton
Poker Face killed 1/5/08, at Warnambool
Force Nine killed 4/5/08, at Sandown
Rhythm Stick killed 1/6/08, at Casterton
Crying Storm, killed 14/6/08, at Sandown
Turbo Charged, killed 22/6/08, at Casterton
Charted and Eveready, both killed 28/6/08 in the
Grand National Hurdle at Flemington
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 
