I’m not a horse racing fanatic, but I appreciate the importance of the industry, like going to the races occasionally and punt infrequently.
When it comes to an actual spectacle, the steeplechase is the most entertaining form of horse racing in my opinion. It’s dramatic and great to watch.
There is a push on to ban jumps racing in Victoria, which if carried through would also kill the industry in South Australia. I wrote an editorial about it today.
The push is coming from animal welfare groups and I don’t agree with it.
As a local trainer commented to the paper, many of the horses used for jumps racing are retired flat racers, which without a racing career, would end up in the abattoir for pet food.
“The animal liberation movement are very concerned about the things they can see, but don’t seem to worry about the things they can’t see,” he said.
Jumps racing isn’t big in Australia, but it’s a colorful and entertaining part of the sport. I wouldn’t like to see it go.
These articles might be of interest:
