Racing SA, Media Release, 1 October 2021
Racing SA has announced that jumps races will not be scheduled in the South Australian racing calendar as of next year.
Despite the efforts of all industry stakeholders to maintain a jumps racing program in SA, declining participation levels and horse numbers have made the industry unsustainable and unworkable.
Racing SA’s current data shows there are fewer than 10 jumps horses currently in South Australia compared with more than 2400 registered thoroughbreds across the State.
A total of 12 jumps races were held in 2020-21 with field sizes falling to less than five horses per race. This compares with the growth being experienced in flat races where field sizes grew to an average of 9.7 runners.
Quotes attributable to Racing SA CEO Nick Redin:
“Jumps racing has been an important part of the thoroughbred industry for almost 150 years.
“However, participation levels in jumps racing in South Australia, particularly from within our State, have been declining for some time and it has become clear that we no longer have a sustainable jumps industry.
“While this will undoubtedly be sad news for some, we believe it creates some very exciting opportunities for the future.
“Thoroughbred racing in South Australia is on a growth trajectory, and this decision is in the best interests for the future of our industry.”
The move will see Oakbank return to its roots in 2022 with the traditional Easter Saturday and Easter Monday racedays now back on the calendar.
The iconic Great Eastern, Von Doussa and Harry D. Young names will remain, continuing the history of these famous events for significant prizemoney, but now as flat races rather than jumps events.
“It means we can return to having the iconic Easter Carnival with racing on both Easter Saturday and Easter Monday and attract a new audience to Oakbank by broadening opportunities for some new and exciting initiatives for the 2022 carnival and beyond.
Quotes attributable leading trainer Richard Jolly:
“I did have jumpers, but because we have no riders here it just became cost prohibitive to have to fly jockeys in to do the training and race riding. That’s why I moved my business to flat racing.
“The industry has worked hard to see if there’s a future for jumps racing in South Australia, but it’s clear that it is no longer sustainable. In contrast, the number of horses involved in flat racing continues to grow in SA.”
More details about the 2022 Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival will be released in the coming weeks.
“There are a great many people who love Oakbank for what it is; we believe there are even more who will love it for what it will be.”
Where jumps horses are unable to transition to flat racing, Racing SA’s Equine Welfare Officer, John Cornell, will work with affected trainers to assist them in either transferring the horses to new owners interstate, into eventing or into retirement.
