Victoria’s 2023 Jumps Racing Program Released

Racing Victoria (RV), in consultation with the Australian Jumps Racing Association (AJRA), has today released the program and prizemoney enhancements for the 2023 jumps racing season.

Following a significant prizemoney uplift of over $850,000 in the 2022 season, the 2023 program will see an additional $175,000 in prizemoney dispersed across four of Victoria’s feature jumps races taking the total amount on offer to just under $5 million.

The 2023 season will feature 19 jumps meetings throughout Victoria from March to August – six of which will be held exclusively for jumps riders – with 42 hurdle races and 24 steeplechase races programmed prior to any divisions.

The prizemoney increases announced for 2023 are as follows:

• Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m), Warrnambool (4 May) – increases from $350,000 to $400,000;

• Grand National Hurdle (4200m), Ladbrokes Park Sandown (6 Aug) – increases from $250,000 to $300,000;

• Grand National Steeplechase (4500m), Sportsbet-Ballarat (27 August)- increases from $350,000 to $400,000

• JJ Houlahan Hurdle (3200m), Sportsbet-Ballarat (27 August) – increases from $125,000 to $150,000

The 2023 jumps racing program will mirror the 2022 schedule, with one notable change as follows:

• The $100,000 Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m), which was previously run on Casterton Cup Day in mid-May, will move to Casterton’s following meeting on Sunday, 25 June 2023.

The 2023 jumps racing season will again commence at Terang on Friday, 17 March and conclude at Sportsbet-Ballarat on Sunday, 27 August with the Grand National Steeplechase meeting.

Quotes attributable to Josh Grimwood, Racing Victoria Jumps Racing Manager

“Jumps racing is a unique feature of the Victorian racing calendar and together with the AJRA we are pleased to deliver the 2023 program and prizemoney enhancements which recognise the current strength of jumps racing in our state.

“The 2022 jumps racing season was among the safest ever conducted, it enjoyed strong engagement with increased wagering turnover, and saw a record crowd attend the jewel-in-the-crown Warrnambool May Carnival.

“That growing interest has been reflected with the additional investment in prizemoney announced today for four marquee jumps races, which compliments the wide-ranging increases announced for 2022 and rewards the hard work of many to ensure that the sport remains highly competitive.

"The priority for all involved in Victorian jumps racing continues to be the safety of the sport and importantly we have witnessed continued improvement through ongoing safety initiatives and a robust regulatory framework.

“I would like to thank the AJRA and the participating clubs for their engagement and support in constructing the program and look forward to another terrific season of jumping in 2023.”

Quotes attributable to Sandy McGregor, Australian Jumps Racing Association Chairman

“The AJRA is pleased that the 2023 program and prizemoney reflects the improvements of jumps racing in Victoria.

“In conjunction with Racing Victoria, we look forward to continually improving equine and participant welfare in jumps racing so the sport remains strong.”