Hurdles gain a three year reprieve

Fri 3 Sep

Racing Victoria has given the green light for hurdle racing to continue for the next three years but the board has reserved its decision on the future of steeplechases.

The RVL board took into consideration a number of reports and submissions before announcing its decision on Thursday night.

It said that hurdle racing remained subject to meeting a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) relating to fatalities.

The KPI of not more than 0.65% of fatalities per starters will be measured as a rolling three-year average (including the 2010 season) at the end of the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

The hurdle racing fatality rate in 2010 was 0.41% and the steeplechase racing fatality rate was 0.58%.

The board has deferred a decision on the future of steeplechase racing to its next meeting pending further analysis of the performance of the 2010 program and the identification of any necessary measures to improve the program's safety.

"There has been a substantial improvement in the safety and performance of jumps racing for the 2010 season with the fall and fatality rates dropping significantly from the year prior," said Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines.

"The performance in hurdle races was particularly good with a dramatic improvement achieved due to a changed obstacle, revised conditions and a strong commitment to safety by jockeys and trainers.

"The board considered that the dramatic improvement achieved in hurdle racing justified a longer term commitment to provide certainty to owners investing in horses and for jockeys, trainers and workers who earn their livelihood from the sport.'' - aap

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