MEDIA RELEASE

15 June 2012

Horse Death Brings Call for the End of Jumps Racing

The death this week of Llanaprize, in the Barry Burge 3500 Steeplechase event at Te Aroha (13 June), is an example of the cruelty inherent in jumps racing, says animal advocacy organisation SAFE. The group says the death rate in jumps racing is unacceptable and is calling for the ‘sport’ to be immediately suspended.

SAFE has launched a public campaign to raise awareness of the cruelty of jumps racing and is calling for the Minister of Racing, Nathan Guy, to ban this so-called sport.

“SAFE is monitoring the number of horse deaths this year and will make it public so more people are aware of the cruelty of jumps racing,” says SAFE Campaign director Eliot Pryor. “Llanaprize was euthanised after suffering a fracture to the right foreleg. This is the side of jumps racing that is hidden and that the industry doesn’t want to talk about,” Mr Pryor says.

Off the track, Climbing High, the favourite for the Waikato Steeplechase was euthanised after a fall in training in May.

The New Zealand jumps racing season started on the 5th of May and Mr Pryor says it had been only a matter of time before the first death. “Many more deaths are expected before the end of the season, and it’s time to stop the carnage.”

Jumps racing has a much higher rate of deaths and injuries than flat racing, because horses are pushed to jump barriers at speed – something they would never do naturally.

“Jumps racing is impossible to make ‘safe', as by its very nature there is a constant risk to the horse,” says Mr Pryor. “Horses routinely die merely for the sake of ‘entertainment', and profit for the industry.”

Ten horses died in jumps racing in New Zealand last year and New Zealand horses are dying in Australia. Two New Zealand horses, Jotilla and Art Success, have so far died this season. SAFE is liaising with Australian campaigners to work towards an end to jumps racing in both countries.

“Jumps racing is not a ‘sport’ for the horse, it is cruel and dangerous and every year horses unnecessarily die on New Zealand tracks,” Mr Pryor says.

Jumps racing is already banned in New South Wales, Australia, and has become increasingly unpopular worldwide.
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