RSPCA Victoria is appalled by Racing Victoria Limited’s (RVL) announcement that it will be reneging its commitment to end jumps racing at the end of the 2010 season.

Racing Victoria’s so called commitment to the welfare of horses was obviously a complete farce. RVL’s CEO, Rob Hines, publicly admitted that despite exhaustive reviews, and additional safety measures implemented as a result, the injury rates to both horses and jockeys has continued to increase. The RSPCA fails to see how any of RVL’s reasons to end jumps racing has changed in the past seven weeks. New conditions the jumps racing industry must meet to keep the sport alive indicate that the death of five horses in the 2010 season is ‘acceptable’. This is downright disgusting. It is a joke that this body, one that has had the chance to show real leadership, has succumbed and pandered to a minority stakeholder.

Research conducted by both the RVL and  RSPCA revealed the majority of the community supports a ban on jumps racing, something the RVL board reported as another factor when it reached its original decision to cease jumps at the end of 2010. This complete turn-around shows RVL up as incompetent in acting in the best interest of horse welfare and the Victorian racing industry. It makes a complete mockery of animal welfare and racing in Victoria.

Other conditions announced to boost revenue are negligent at best. Encouraging more failed 'flats' horses to enter jumps racing to increase field size and bets wagered will only lead to even more injuries and falls from a greater number of horses that are simply not bred for the purpose of jumping.

The RSPCA will be appealing to the state government to take action and will intensify its campaign to have jumps racing banned once and for all.

RSPCA VICTORIA PRESS RELEASE, 22/01/2010