Racing Victoria reaffirms jumps racing at Ballarat after thorough review

Racing Victoria (RV) confirmed on Friday that it would allow jumps racing to take place in Victoria in 2025.

The top racing agency announced its decision following a “major Jumps Racing Review” review conducted by the newly formed Jumps Review Group.

“After careful consideration of the findings and recommendations presented by the Jumps Review Group and the Executive, the Racing Victoria Board has resolved to continue jumps racing alongside a suite of new safety and operational improvements,” said RV Chairman Tim Eddy.

Seven deaths sparks outcry for change

RV’s comprehensive review came on the back of a horrible end to last year’s jumps racing season when three horses were euthanised following the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat in August.

The three horses who were unfortunately put down after the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat to close last year's season were not the only victims of jumps racing during the 2024 campaign.

In total, seven horses were euthanised following jumps races. The public outcry from this high death toll led RV to create the Jumps Review Group and to review jumps racing in Victoria.

In their final report, RV called last season’s safety record “unacceptable.” However, it also added that it “recognised the sustained efforts of all stakeholders over the previous 14 seasons to improve safety.”

RV announce sweeping changes

RV’s announcement on Friday contained 11 recommendations from the Jumps Review Group that have been endorsed by the RV Board.

The most impactful of these changes for horse racing betting fans and jumps race punters is the shortening of the season.

As you’ve probably ready in many Ballarat tips pieces, soft tracks are hard to come by earlier in the year. To address this, RV has recommended that future jumps racing seasons not start more than five weeks prior to the Warrnambool May Carnival.

Effectively, this means that the 2025 jumps racing season and each that follow will have around 62 races instead of the normal 72.

Most the other recommendations covered in RV’s announcement regard track compliance, such as making sure jumps races only take place at “tracks specifically prepared for jumps racing” as opposed to Group 1 races and other standard thoroughbred races.

Future of jumps racing in Victoria

While the review was primarily focused on the 2025 season, it is clear that RV has plans for jumps racing in Victoria beyond just next year.

“This decision (to continue jumps racing) reflects our recognition of jumps racing’s cultural and economic significance to regional Victoria, particularly its vital role in events such as the Warrnambool May Carnival,” said RV Chairman Tim Eddy.

Eddy also revealed that RV has established a new Jumps Taskforce to oversee the execution of the 11 recommendations mentioned in their report.

RV and the Jumps Taskforce have pledged to meet at the end of each jumps racing season to “undertake a review and provide a report to the Board on the outcome against key result areas, including safety metrics, participation rates and economic impacts.”

A broader review of jumps racing will be conducted every three years.