Animal welfare groups are calling for an end to jumps racing after the death of a horse at Warrnambool yesterday.

Viva Delspec was eased out of the steeplechase with a fractured knee and was later put down.

Ward Young from the Coalition to Protect Racehorses says the sport is cruel.

"It's time that [Premier and Racing Minister] Denis Napthine does step in," he said.

"He has stepped in previously and thrown his support behind jumps racing to try and prop it up but it's time that he changes his tune and actually throws his support against jumps racing and banishes it to the history books.

"It's an absolute disgrace, its the first horse that has died in jumps racing this year and if we let this cruel sport continue there are going to be a lot of horses that are going to die."

A spokesman for Dr Napthine says the Government remains supportive of the jumps racing industry.

Racing Victoria says the death will be referred to the Jumps Review Panel for consideration.