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2008/18: Should jumps racing in Victoria be banned?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: ABC news report on the Grand National Hurdle race in which most of the horses fell. If you cannot see this clip, it will be because YouTube is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows YouTube clips.
If you cannot see these clips, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clips, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.
What they said ...
'These horses love to jump. You couldn't make them do it if they didn't want to'
Jumps jockey, Steven Pateman
'We're not opposed to the use of horses [in sporting events], but just simply opposed to events that kill them'
President of the Victorian RSPCA, Dr Hugh Wirth
The issue at a glance
On June 28, 2008, the Grand National Hurdle was run at Flemington Race Course. The prestigious event ended disastrously. Two horses, Charted and Eveready, were put down; a jockey, Adrian Garraway, was taken to hospital and only four of thirteen starters passed the finishing post.
Jumps racing in Victoria was already the subject of immediate controversy as eight horses have died or been put down as a result of jumps events since March of this year. The Grand National fatalities take the figure to ten.
In response, the Victorian Racing Minister, Mr Rob Hulls, has agreed to bring the annual review of jumps racing forward.
Animal welfare and animal rights groups are increasing their demands to have the sport banned. Defenders of the sport agree that the current number of horse deaths is unacceptable but claim it is an anomaly.
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