JUMPS racing is under increasing pressure after another horse death, but South Australia's Racing Minister is unconcerned, invoking cock-fighting as a comparison to dismiss accusations hurdles races are cruel.
"Dog-fighting is cruel, cock-fighting is cruel, but the whole object of horseracing is for horses to go around a course, jump over hedges and survive," SA Racing Minister Tom Kenyon told The Australian yesterday.
"Obviously there is an increased risk -- they're jumping -- but I don't think jumps racing is a cruel sport."
Mr Kenyon's comments follow the death of 10-year-old galloper Ledgers Dream while racing at Adelaide's Morphettville track on Saturday.
"Dog-fighting is cruel, cock-fighting is cruel, but the whole object of horseracing is for horses to go around a course, jump over hedges and survive," SA Racing Minister Tom Kenyon told The Australian yesterday.
"Obviously there is an increased risk -- they're jumping -- but I don't think jumps racing is a cruel sport."
Mr Kenyon's comments follow the death of 10-year-old galloper Ledgers Dream while racing at Adelaide's Morphettville track on Saturday.
The gelding died after ploughing head-first into the ground and breaking his neck during the 3100m Dominant Hurdle. Jockey Marty Kelly was unhurt.
With this year's jumps tally now climbing to six deaths, race organisers and politicians are coming under increasing pressure to ban the sport.
Citizens Against Animal Cruelty campaigner Colin Thomas yesterday said it was the worst start to a jumps race season in living memory.
"Morphettville can now claim to be the killing fields of jumps racing in Australia," Mr Thomas said.
"This is not a random occurrence any more -- it is now part and parcel of jumps racing."
South Australia and Victoria are the only states still holding jumps races, with at least one race a week scheduled from March to September.
The latest horse death comes one week after the riderless horse Banna Strand jumped a 3m fence at the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool, Victoria, trampling spectators.
No horses or riders were injured in the incident, but seven race patrons were taken to hospital for treatment, including a two-year-old girl who suffered a fractured collarbone.
Only two horses finished the marathon 5500m course, which has 33 fences.
But Mr Kenyon said the state government had no intention of banning the sport.
"No one can ever give you a guarantee no horses will ever die," Mr Kenyon said.
"I would say a horse dying is one of the risks of jumps racing, but one of the risks of driving a car is someone will die, and you can't eliminate risk from things."
Thoroughbred Racing SA said it would prepare a report on the death and continue to review safety at jumps events, but remained supportive of the sport.
With this year's jumps tally now climbing to six deaths, race organisers and politicians are coming under increasing pressure to ban the sport.
Citizens Against Animal Cruelty campaigner Colin Thomas yesterday said it was the worst start to a jumps race season in living memory.
"Morphettville can now claim to be the killing fields of jumps racing in Australia," Mr Thomas said.
"This is not a random occurrence any more -- it is now part and parcel of jumps racing."
South Australia and Victoria are the only states still holding jumps races, with at least one race a week scheduled from March to September.
The latest horse death comes one week after the riderless horse Banna Strand jumped a 3m fence at the Grand Annual Steeplechase in Warrnambool, Victoria, trampling spectators.
No horses or riders were injured in the incident, but seven race patrons were taken to hospital for treatment, including a two-year-old girl who suffered a fractured collarbone.
Only two horses finished the marathon 5500m course, which has 33 fences.
But Mr Kenyon said the state government had no intention of banning the sport.
"No one can ever give you a guarantee no horses will ever die," Mr Kenyon said.
"I would say a horse dying is one of the risks of jumps racing, but one of the risks of driving a car is someone will die, and you can't eliminate risk from things."
Thoroughbred Racing SA said it would prepare a report on the death and continue to review safety at jumps events, but remained supportive of the sport.
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