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.
