Racing Victoria (RV) has officially unveiled the schedule for the upcoming 2024 jumps racing season, closely resembling the successful 2023 season.
The program comprises 19 jumps meetings throughout Victoria, including six exclusively for jumps riders.
A total of 41 hurdle races and 24 steeplechase races are scheduled, providing an exciting season for enthusiasts.
The season kicks off on Tuesday, March 12 at Warrnambool, the most active track with six jumps meetings, and concludes with the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on Sunday, August 25.
The renowned Warrnambool May Racing Carnival takes centre stage from Tuesday, April 30, to Thursday, May 2, featuring the state’s richest jumps race, the $400,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).
Two notable programming changes aim to enhance the pattern of feature races and maximise field sizes in 2024. The Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) moves from the end of June back to Casterton Cup Day on Sunday, May 19. While the Australian Hurdle (3900m) and the Australian Steeplechase (3900m) at Sandown will shift to Sunday, June 2, from their previous May timeslot.
In line with the ongoing decline in the wagering market and industry revenues, prizemoney levels were reviewed during the programming process. The 2024 season offers a total prizemoney pool of $4.76 million, reflecting a 3.5% reduction from 2023 and a return to the levels seen in the 2022 season.
The 2024 season introduces the Adam Lindsay Gordon Series, a collaborative effort by the AJRA and Country Racing Victoria (CRV) to celebrate the rich history of jumps racing in Victoria’s western districts.
Points will be allocated based on finishing positions in four heats, with the winning jockey and trainer determined on the season-ending Grand National Day:
- BM120 Hurdle (3400m), Hamilton, Thursday May 30
- BM120 Hurdle (3500m), Casterton, Sunday June 30
- 0-114 Hurdle (3300m), Coleraine, Sunday August 11
- BM120 Steeplechase (3600m), Ballarat, Sunday August 25
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