Jumps racing will be banned in South Australia, becoming the second state to ban the sport alongside New South Wales.
The South Australian Government made the announcement on Wednesday, supporting a legislative bill to ban the sport, saying the decision reflects the change in attitudes.
“We want to create certainty for the industry, backing in a decision already made by Racing SA and by Oakbank to no longer hold jumps racing events,” South Australian Deputy Premier Susan Close said.
“The community and the racing industry gave up on jumps racing some time ago and the parliament is reflecting this change in attitudes.
“The time for this business, the time for this industry has now elapsed.
“There’s a reason there were only 10 jumps races left in South Australia.”
Racing as a whole has been maligned by a useless SA Government for a long time and this is just another nail in coffin. For a state so rich in Australian racing history, unfortunately it is now a backwater which impacts so many people in that state.
— Gaz (@bothers_29) July 6, 2022
The news ruffled a few feathers in the racing industry, Victorian trainer Manny Gelagotis took to social media saying this decision is on the back of poor governance and representation from South Australian racing committees.
Gelagotis says the poor governance has resulted in star trainers leaving the state, Tony McEvoy being the biggest name to pack up and leave in May this year after 40 years of training at Angaston in South Australia.
“Some great racing and trainers in SA, top trainers have turned their back on SA and the agendas have been exposed in particular Oakbank,” Gelagotis said.
“Poor governance and representation to the history of jumps racing in particular from Oakbank committee.
“Government 👎.”
The bill is expected to be passed through SA Parliament on Thursday meaning jumps racing will be immediately outlawed.
Some great racing & trainers in SA and Gaz explains it pretty well. Top trainers have turned there back on SA & the agendas have been exposed in particular Oakbank. Poor governance & representation to the history of jumps racing in particular from Oakbank commitee. Government 👎🏿
— Manny Gelagotis 🐎⚽️🇬🇷🇦🇺 (@hvasstan) July 6, 2022