Progress & Improvements In Safety Measures For Jumps Racing

Jumps racing enjoys a long and esteemed history in Victoria with the annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival a pinnacle of country racing nationwide.

Jumps racing has been regenerated in Victoria with an unwavering focus from Racing Victoria on the safety of all participants.

In recent years we had the highest number of horses compete in a season since the reset in 2009 and field sizes continue to remain steady. In 2025 the season will commence Warrnambool on Friday, 28 March and concluding with the Grand National Steeplechase meeting at Sportsbet Ballarat on 17 August 2025.

A total of 57 races have been programmed (36 hurdle and 21 steeplechase) at 14 race meetings across eight tracks. Excluding the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival and season opener, all meetings will be conducted on Sundays.

RV has also announced that it will provide $3.81 million in prizemoney for the 2025 jumps racing season

In addition to the RV prizemoney, Ecycle Solutions has also committed to contributing $50,000 in prizemoney per year towards the Grand National Steeplechase for the next three years which will see the race run for $400,000.

The Grand National Hurdle at Sportsbet Sandown on 3 August has been allocated $250,000 in prizemoney, while Warrnambool May Racing Carnival features the Brierly Steeplechase and Galleywood Hurdle have been assigned $150,000 each.As recommended, six schooling days have been introduced throughout the year at venues across the state to assist in the education of jumps horses and riders.Further safety and operational enhancements being adopted for the 2025 jumps racing season include strengthened jumps track compliance processes, increased competitiveness of trials to better educate horses and participants and the introduction of a former jumps jockey coach to provide coaching and support to jumps jockeys.

The introduction of new One-Fit Hurdles in 20219, designed to further improve safety for horse and rider, saw 2021-2023 achieve the lowest fall rate in history – down 66% on the 10-year average.