BRITISH HORSE RACING’S controversial whip rule will be dramatically revised in time for this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
A number of fundamental changes will come into effect in early March, after which jockeys will no longer receive an automatic riding ban for exceeding the maximum amount of whip strokes permitted.
Instead, jockeys who use their whip more than eight times on the flat (nine times over jumps) will trigger a review by stewards, who will then have the discretion to apply penalties as they see fit.
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The changes were approved by a board meeting of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) yesterday. Paul Bittar, the BHA’s new chief executive, conceded that the whip rule was “fundamentally flawed” in its existing form.
“It is clear that while many objectives of the review are being met, and in particular those pertaining to horse welfare, a rule which polices the use of the whip based solely on a fixed number of strikes is fundamentally flawed,” Bittar said.
In practice the new rules have repeatedly thrown up examples of no consideration being given to the manner in which the whip is used as well as riders being awarded disproportionate penalties for the offence committed.
Since the rule’s introduction last October, jockeys and trainers have roundly criticised it as punitive and unfair. At Leicester last week, champion jockey AP McCoy was hit with a four-day riding ban after he hit Prince of Pirates one more time than permitted during a thrilling dead-heat finish.
A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association welcomed yesterday’s decision.
“The adjustment to the penalty regime is welcome, as the previous penalty structure was not appropriate,” PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said. ”However, of greater importance is the general change of approach to how the Rules are fundamentally framed and applied, which was the overriding issue, not just for jockeys but for racing generally.
This change recognises that a ‘grey’ issue cannot be proportionately and fairly regulated by a ‘black and white’ Rule, and that Jockeys are skilled horsemen who care passionately about horses and are being denied the ability to use their full skill and judgement throughout the course of the race.
Around 90% of the offences under the Rules that came into force in October 2011 would not have come close to constituting an offence under the old Rules. Jockeys have collectively made Herculean efforts to change their riding styles overnight and deserve enormous credit not just for that but for their patience whilst discussions to find a sensible solution to the major issues were taking place.
Jockeys 'pleased' as racing bosses refine controversial whip rules
BRITISH HORSE RACING’S controversial whip rule will be dramatically revised in time for this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
A number of fundamental changes will come into effect in early March, after which jockeys will no longer receive an automatic riding ban for exceeding the maximum amount of whip strokes permitted.
Instead, jockeys who use their whip more than eight times on the flat (nine times over jumps) will trigger a review by stewards, who will then have the discretion to apply penalties as they see fit.
The changes were approved by a board meeting of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) yesterday. Paul Bittar, the BHA’s new chief executive, conceded that the whip rule was “fundamentally flawed” in its existing form.
“It is clear that while many objectives of the review are being met, and in particular those pertaining to horse welfare, a rule which polices the use of the whip based solely on a fixed number of strikes is fundamentally flawed,” Bittar said.
Since the rule’s introduction last October, jockeys and trainers have roundly criticised it as punitive and unfair. At Leicester last week, champion jockey AP McCoy was hit with a four-day riding ban after he hit Prince of Pirates one more time than permitted during a thrilling dead-heat finish.
A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association welcomed yesterday’s decision.
“The adjustment to the penalty regime is welcome, as the previous penalty structure was not appropriate,” PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said. ”However, of greater importance is the general change of approach to how the Rules are fundamentally framed and applied, which was the overriding issue, not just for jockeys but for racing generally.
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BHA British Horseracing Authority Cheltenham Festival CheltFest Paul Bittar Paul Struthers PJA Professional Jockeys Association Whip Rule