Video: SAFE say jumps races are impossible to make safe for horses and should be banned (Footage: NZ Racing) 

UPDATED 12.49pm: New Zealand Thoroughbred racing has launched an investigation into the deaths of three horses at Auckland's Ellerslie Racecourse on Monday.

Two were euthanised after falling and injuring themselves in hurdle races, another was put down after it was injured in the steeple chase.

General manager of racing and handicapping Matthew Hall said it's not normal for three horses to die in one race day.

"We've immediately launched an investigation, into how those deaths have occurred. Obviously we'll be doing everything we can to ensure that if any safety improvements are required they're made."

There are calls for a ban on jumps racing after three horses died at Ellerslie Racecourse in just one day.

Animal rights group SAFE said the horse deaths are appalling and happen every jumps racing season.

They demand that such races need to be stopped, with Head of Campaigns Mandy Cater slamming the event.

"Horses are dying on race tracks every year and the casualties will continue to mount unless action is taken."

However, New Zealand Racing's jumps co-ordinator Dennis Ryan doesn't agree that a ban is the solution.

"Where does it stop? A whole raft of factors are here, and I don't think it's a simple matter of just banning everything we do."

Ryan said having three horses die in one race day is extraordinary.

"Jumps racing is inherently more risky than racing on flats, we accept that, but no more risky some might say than many equine activities."

"I must say, it wasn't good to see it happening this morning. Nobody wants to see fatalities of that nature but it definitely was out of the ordinary," he added.

Chairman of the Equine Health Association Ivan Bridge agrees and said everyone's saddened by the deaths.

"I think we need to put in perspective, I've been attending the start of Ellerslie for close on 25 years. I don't think I would have put down three horses in jumping races in that time, so to do that in one day is absolutely extraordinary."