Whip rules amended

[Posts: 6670Joined: 25 Feb 2001, 19:39Location: Surrey]

News from the BHA:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/horse_r ... 401210.stm

Regards

[Posts: 4484Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 22:56Location: Milton Keynes]

BHA Statement

The Board of the British Horseracing Authority today announces adjustments to the Rules on the use of the whip in Horseracing, following discussions with representatives of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and other stakeholders earlier this week.

Around a year ago, the Authority commenced a review of the use of the whip in Horseracing, focusing on the need for such use, any potential equine welfare issues and the effectiveness of the existing penalty structure. Whilst this process was commenced before the issue was brought to wider public attention, the importance of the review was highlighted by the widespread and significant public comment following a number of high-profile breaches of the Rules.

The process was formalised in April 2011 with a Review encompassing wide consultation both within and outside the industry and led by a dedicated Review Group. The resulting report – ‘A Review of the use of the whip in Horseracing’ – set out clear principles behind the role of the whip in the sport and the need to ensure that the Rules surrounding its use robustly safeguarded the welfare of both jockeys and horses, and protected and enhanced the reputation of Racing. The Review was clear regarding the need to achieve behavioural change amongst jockeys and others; a change in attitudes towards the whip was required.

The Review was approved by the Authority’s Board and widely endorsed upon publication, including by jockeys both in the statement issued by the Authority and independently by the PJA in their own statement of 27th September. However, following the introduction of the new Rules some concerns were raised by the PJA regarding their implementation and, in light of this, the Authority invited the PJA to make representations to the Authority’s Board.

The Board emphasises that it must be the role of the Regulator, not the sport’s participants, to set and enforce the Rules. Regulation cannot be a negotiation, but must involve due consultation. Having undertaken regulatory due process and given careful consideration to the concerns raised by the PJA, the Board has decided that the following Rule adjustments be made:

1. Removal of the numerical limits in place on the use of the whip in the final stages of races (the last furlong of a Flat race and after the last obstacle in a Jumps race). It should be noted in this context that numerical limits on the use of the whip in the final stages of races were in place prior to the new Rules being introduced, including in the final furlong. Numerical limits relating to the number of times that the whip can be used in total throughout a race will remain in place (up to seven times in a Flat race and eight times in a Jumps race). Again, the Board emphasises that these numbers must be viewed as upper limits and not a target number for jockeys in races.

2. Jockeys’ riding fees will no longer be included in the penalties for whip offences.

3. The number of days’ suspension for whip Rule breaches before the jockey’s prize money percentage will be forfeited is to be increased from 3 to 7 days. The effect of this is that where a jockey has used the whip one more time than is allowed under the Rules, the jockey’s prize money percentage will no longer be forfeited, but a suspension will continue to apply.

4. Amending the penalty advice where a rider is referred to the Disciplinary Panel having incurred a fourth suspension of five days or more within the previous 12 months. This advice will be changed to a suspension within the range of two months to six months and an entry point of three months.

These adjustments will take effect from the start of racing this afternoon, Friday 21st October. As with all of the Authority’s work, these adjustments will be subject to constant monitoring. Additionally, clear processes are in place for annual reviews of all Rules.

The Board has also considered the impact on those jockeys who have received penalties that would not have been applied if these adjustments had been in place since the introduction of the new Rules. These penalties will be rescinded and appropriate measures have been taken, including the release of riding fees and prize money where applicable, and riding suspensions either annulled or adjusted.

The Board is committed to the highest standards of regulation in the sport, and ensuring that British Horseracing continues to lead the way in matters of equine welfare.

This is a sport not without its challenges, but they will always be outweighed by the sport's strengths. These challenges will best be met – and are being met – by finding a common purpose amongst the sport’s participants, and by putting the sport first.

[Posts: 2166Joined: 06 Dec 2003, 19:04Location: Luton]

Thanks for posting Paul , glad to see common sense has prevailed , Mr Soumilion owes these lads a good drink


Hopefully Richard Hughes will now go back riding , and all will be well for another while


cheers


Ricky

[Posts: 12291Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 19:24]

Good news.

BHA has listened and got rid of the 5 stroke rules which were shown not to work.

Do wonder whether there should be at least some financial penalty for going 1 stroke more than 7. I suggested 25% of prize money. With just a 5 day ban for 1 over the limit may well result in jockeys thinking of 8 as the true limit in valuable events. Just taking the 5 day holiday as an insignificance. Cheltenham Festival will be interesting, hope we won't see more jockeys than ever get a whip ban.

However, these rules are a lot better than they were yesterday and hope the jockeys will agree.

A step back in the right direction, though it is not enough.

The stroke-count limits are still too low for decent tactical racing, as Ryan Moore said on RUK. It remains to be seen whether the majority of jockeys will accept that, whether or not the PJA agree to ratify these changes (which I imagine they will).

Good news that Soumillon will get his prize money back - entente was less than cordiale with the French authorities (and evidently their racing public too) because of that faux pas.

[Posts: 485Joined: 27 Jul 2011, 22:05]

Some sensible changes and they haven't totally caved in to the jockeys. I would have liked to see something like any lost prize money going to the next jockey.

Paul Roy makes a statement: http://www.britishhorseracing.com/BHAxtra/

[Posts: 1699Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:32]

Very disappointing, the lack of leadership at the jockeys association has cost us all and the BHA have taken full advantage.
The BHA are still a shower of ***** in my book.

[Posts: 485Joined: 27 Jul 2011, 22:05]

Richard Hughes to take four races at Newbury today.

[Posts: 4415Joined: 14 Mar 2006, 11:35Location: Doha, Qatar and Co.Clare, Ireland.]

No surprises in that release, a bad day for the sport.

I can only see excessive frequency violations increasing and the gutter pig tabloid press and zero interest housewives that the BHA seem so enthrall to, calling for a complete ban in time. And why wouldn't they, when people who should know better roll over for tummy tickling so easily.

The PJA have a lot to answer for. Kevin Darley asleep at the wheel. Excuse's that he was only given full details an hour before the original release not good enough for a change so fundamental to the people he represents. The senior jockeys all speaking for themselves at random, as ever racing's insiders North Korean when it comes to criticism within the parish, however warranted.

Their coming for your fences boys, and you wont have a leg to stand on when they do.

Celebrity Culture 3 - Education 0

[Posts: 1050Joined: 13 Dec 2008, 08:29Location: Hereford]

Unfortunately Cav I have to agree with your damning assessment.

Nothing is gained here. Self interested compromises, who can blame the jockeys to a point, the financial implications were too severe, but the greater good of the sport has been ignored and if it's this easy to push changes on it enjoy the jumping while you can!

[Posts: 2576Joined: 21 Feb 2007, 15:53]

A very resonable compromise to these sensible rules.

I fully expect France and Ireland and perhaps some of the States in America to follow at sometime in the near future.

We should be pleased: BHA World Leaders in Regulation despite the c.£100,000 a year two days a week MAN WITH NO SHAME

[Posts: 1304Joined: 01 Oct 2009, 20:13]

I fully expect France and Ireland and perhaps some of the States in America to follow at sometime in the near future.

California might. The state that ups take-out percentage, causing betting turnover to drop. The state that made it mandatory to install synthetic surfaces, of which one produced a strikingly similar fatality rate at Del Mar this summer. The rest? Not happening.

Cav's not wrong. You have to understand the wider meaning of why this has come about, not if you feel it is right. The BHA did the bare minimum today to continue racing. Just wait for a few staying chases while I spend my winter watching Australian racing and the Dubai Carnival.

[Posts: 2576Joined: 21 Feb 2007, 15:53]

Jose, don’t be taken in by the fantasist propaganda - making it up as they go along.

Horseracing is part of our culture and will remain so. Have confidence in the sport and that we have World Leaders in Regulation.