The chairwoman of Thoroughbred Racing South Australia (TRSA) has taken aim at the local racing minister for calling jumps racing "barbaric" after a horse was euthanased at the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival.

Frances Nelson QC said it was "unusual" that the Minister, Leon Bignell, would make such strong remarks about an industry within his own portfolio.

"This carnival alone over Easter puts $13 million into the local economy every year," she said.

"It's very popular and it is our best attended meeting in South Australia."

She said it was all the more unusual because a SA parliamentary committee last year debated whether jumps racing should be banned and decided it should continue.

It means SA and Victoria are the only two states that still hold jumps racing.

"I just find it extraordinary that he [Mr Bignell] can't accept the report of his own committee," Ms Nelson said.

"It's a waste of time, waste of money and quite frankly very insulting to his peers who sat on that committee and worked very hard.

"We look after the industry. I think the Minister has a lot of bridges to build."

Wheeler Fortune's death 'senseless'

Wheeler Fortune, a horse trained by John Wheeler, had to be euthanased at the Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival in the Adelaide Hills on Saturday after being injured in a jumps race.

Mr Bignell said the death was "senseless" and jumps racing posed an "unacceptable risk to both horses and riders".

He wanted TSA to "act and ban jumps racing".

"It's cruel. It's barbaric and it doesn't belong in the 21st century," Mr Bignell said.

"Many race clubs, trainers and jockeys don't support jumps racing.

"It's time for them to stand up to their controlling body before long-term damage is done to the entire racing industry."

Wheeler Fortune was euthunased after a fall during race three at Oakbank on Saturday. ( Supplied: BanJumpsRacing.com )

'No less dangerous' than any other equestrian sport

But trainer Brian Serale, who has been involved in the industry for 55 years, said jumps racing was no less dangerous than any other equestrian sport.

He said horses were given a second chance through the racing industry and he was disappointed the Racing Minister would attack the industry.

"It was disgraceful what he said," Mr Serale said.

"At least while they're jumping they're not going to the knackery."

"This is what happens to some of these horses that finish flat racing. They're not good enough so a good percentage of them finish up in the knackery."

Mr Serale said those who criticised jumps racing did not know what they were talking about as it "saves a lot of lives for the horses".

"They're a competitive animal. They get looked after better than any cats or dogs or anything like that," he said.

The RSPCA said Wheeler Fortune was the fourth horse to die as a result of jumps racing at Oakbank in the past six years.