New whip rules

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Wow, the BHA has introduced new rules limiting jockeys to hitting a horse a total of 7 times per race for flat, and 8 times for jumps races.

Mixed reaction from jockeys, with some high profile jocks actually welcoming the new rules…

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/alan-bailey-george-moore-a-p-mccoy-kieren-fallon-frankie-dettori-mixed-reaction-to-bha-whip-rule-changes/923066/latest/

To give the new rules some bite, there is a provision whereby jocks can lose their share of the prize money if they overuse the whip.

Jockeys who pick up a ban exceeding three days can expect to lose their share of theprize-money and riding fee. It will also be an offence for any owner or trainer to reimburse the rider from their own share of the prize-money.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

New whip rules came into effect today, and they are not messing around…

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/kieren-fox-richard-hughes-salisbury-fox-and-hughes-first-to-fall-foul-of-new-whip-rules/929651/top/

excerpt…

KIEREN FOX and Richard Hughes became the first jockeys to be found in breach of the new whip guidelines when riding out the finish of the 1m2f handicap at Salisbury on Monday.

Fox was found to have struck the winner Orthodox Lad 11 times in total, seven inside the final furlong, with the stewards handing him a 15-day ban. Fox also forfeited his percentage of the winning prize-money, as well as his riding fee.

Hughes, who was third on Swift Blade, was found to have struck his mount six times in the final furlong, one above the allowed number of five, and was given an automatic five-day ban.

[Cammie]

I’m all for having more restriction on the number of times a horse can be whipped, especially over here with jockeys like Calvin Borel.

I can imagine in the heat of the moment, filled with adrenaline and in a close driving finish its going to be a challenge for riders to keep track of how many times they’ve used the whip. At least at first. I’m sure losing the purse money once will be enough to keep that from happening again!! :lol:

[CVPeg]

Wow - I just don’t see how this will work - although it seems the jocks on the other side of the pond are a bit more prone to it. How do they “unlearn” it? (Invent one that hits 'em back?!?)

[GoingUp_POP]

This would be so subjective to actually implement. Half the time the jockeys are flicking them or just showing them the whip. I know that some come back to the barn with whelps sometimes, but very rarely. So how would the stewards distinguish a flick and a hit? Not every track can afford HD cameras from every angle.

I think the “evil horse killing jockey” thing is just something that people who knew nothing about race riding came up with. Non-knowledgeable PETA member came out to a track one day, saw a race (where most jockeys were probably just flicking) and threw a fit.

Seriously, think about it, going 40 mph on a young horse you have probably never sat on before, down the stretch, around other horses and jockeys, switching the whip through your reins and hands constantly, it really does limit how hard you can hit them, a lot more than people think.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Another three jockeys picked up suspensions today, including leading jockey William Buick.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/for-life-john-e-long-natalia-gemelova-lingfield-a-w-lingfield-a-w-william-buick-is-latest-big-name-to-land-whip-ban/930693/top/

The rules stipulate that Flat jockeys can strike their mounts seven times during a race and just five times inside the final furlong, roughly half the number of times allowed under the previous guidelines.

Buick, the second high-profile victim, was penalised for striking his horse eight times. Gemelova and Cosgrave picked up bans of seven days and five days respectively for infringements at Lingfield.

Cosgrave, who struck Marcus Antonius on eight occasions when finishing second in the 2m handicap (5.10), said: “I didn’t think I was in breech of the rules as I didn’t go for my whip early and I thought I’d given him seven, that’s why I stopped.”

He added: "Obviously, things were tight, but it wasn’t the sort of race worth getting a ban in so I put my whip down.

“You have a lot to think of in the closing stages, you’re trying to count, ride your race and at the same time avoid causing any interference.”

Jim Boyle, trainer of Marcus Antonius added: “From what I hear the eighth strike hit Steve Drowne on the arm and didn’t hit my horse anyway. The sanctions on the jockeys are ludicrous. What’s he meant to do let him hang into the other horse?”

Although Gemelova remained within the seven-strike limit, all were administered inside the final furlong, while Cosgrave resorted to the whip on eight occassions. The punishments include the loss of riding fees and any share of prize-money.

Gemelova, who has not had winner from 34 previous rides over 197 days, made the journey to Lingfield from North Yorkshire for one ride in divison two of the claimer (3.00). It proved to be an expensive day for the 3lb apprentice who finished second on the John Long-trained 33-1 shot For Life.

Agent and valet fees along with travel costs and the loss of earnings will hit Gemelova’s pocket. The devastated rider said: “I am trying my best to ride within the rules but it’s harder than you think.”

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Wow.
Richard Hughes has quit, relinquished his lisence, over the new whip rules.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/kempton-a-w-richard-hughes-quits-in-protest-at-whip-penalties/931401/

RICHARD HUGHES has given up his riding licence in protest at the new whip regulations after receiving a ten-day ban at Kempton on Thursday night.

It was his second whip ban in the four days since the tough new regulations were introduced.

The top jockey said he would relinquish his licence until the new rules were reviewed and gave up his two remaining rides on Kempton’s all-weather card.

“I can’t ride horses knowing that I’m not doing myself and the owners who pay £100 a time justice,” said Hughes. “I will only consider starting again if there is a review of the rules. I’d rather sweep roads than do half a job. I’ve notified Richard [Hannon].”

The fresh punishment means Hughes will miss the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs next month when he was due to ride Strong Suit in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He also stated he would not ride at Ascot’s British Champions Days on Saturday.

Hughesregistered his disgust with the new rules after his first whip ban on Monday, the day regulations were introduced. The rules limit jockeys to seven strikes (five in the last furlong) on the Flat and eight over jumps.

Thursday night’s second ban, picked up on More Than Words and increased from five to ten days for being his second such offence, appeared to be the final straw for Hughes, who took particular aim at the limit of five whip strikes in the final furlong.

He said: "We’re allowed to hit them seven times and both times I’ve been done, I’ve hit them six times, which is less than the amount you’re allowed and I’ve got a fifteen day ban because of it and I miss the Breeders’ Cup.

“They’ve made the rules so you hit them more, so you have to get two into them before the furlong pole as then you’ve only got five left. I was always told as a young jockey the last jockey who goes for his whip normally wins.”

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

Ridiculous!

The whip rule, I mean, not Mr. Hughes.

[Toadie_s_mom]

Wow, I really don’t think this rule will stand the test of time.

Didn’t Fallon ride over here, while being suspended in GB? As often as we let jockeys and trainers skirt the rules (appeals, delayed suspensions, etc.) here, I don’t understand why Hughes can’t ride in the BC:confused:

[Linny]

If they suspend ALL the riders, who is going to ride the races.

All that money on the line and the guy is stuck counting whipstrokes?

Hughes’ point about having to hit the horse 2 times before the furlong pole then being limited in the final 1/8 is a great one.

I am all for the ethical use of the whip, but counting strokes isn’t the answer. I’d rather my horse be brushed 25 times in a sweeping action that slashed 3 times.

[Glimmerglass]

Good luck with those rules as they clearly are well intended, but impractical and will not help racing. I’m glad Mr. Hughes has protested them in such a way that should get some attention.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=Toadie’s mom;5895566]
Wow, I really don’t think this rule will stand the test of time.

Didn’t Fallon ride over here, while being suspended in GB? As often as we let jockeys and trainers skirt the rules (appeals, delayed suspensions, etc.) here, I don’t understand why Hughes can’t ride in the BC:confused:[/QUOTE]

Because he’s not just suspended, he gave up his license to ride.

And this is a stupid rule–going 40mph, how are you supposed to pay attention to your driving and everyone around you and take your best chance to win AND count whip strikes and is it the last furlong yet and how many have I done and is it worth chancing a suspension…they’re going to get someone, horse, human or both, killed messing with jockeys’ heads like that.

[Big_Tag]

Mr. Hughes is right. I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but he’s right.

This is filed under “great idea, improperly implemented.” I think it matters, as a previous poster pointed out, how many hits vs. severity of hits. Can’t they monitor that fairly well? I mean a welt is a welt. One giant crack vs. a dozen noisemaking hits is no contest in my book.

The number of hits rule reminds me of playing the old PS game “gallop racer” where you basically hit at the 1.8F point, then waiting a while and cracked it into high gear w/ .2F left

[Flashy_Gray_VA]

Follow up, looks like there’s going to be a protest strike:

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/windsor-pja-jockeys-set-to-strike-over-whip-fury-on-monday/931738/top/

[bovon]

ok here’s an idea…how about no whips period…let’s see how the ponies run then?? Can’t we just see how the horses and jockeys do when no one uses a whip? I am sure I will be taken to task for this statement:)

[leilatigress]

Same as you do in a car

[QUOTE=danceronice;5895703]
Because he’s not just suspended, he gave up his license to ride.

And this is a stupid rule–going 40mph, how are you supposed to pay attention to your driving and everyone around you and take your best chance to win AND count whip strikes and is it the last furlong yet and how many have I done and is it worth chancing a suspension…they’re going to get someone, horse, human or both, killed messing with jockeys’ heads like that.[/QUOTE]

Going 70mph down the road paying attention to your driving, and everyone around you and make sure to get to your exit on the freeway meanwhile listening to the kids fight in the back. Millions of people do it everyday. I’m really not seeing the issue of not knowing how many times you hit the horse with the whip. Figure out how to win the race without whipping the hell out of the horse. Showjumping has a rule on it and they have to remember strides, lines, etc. So again I’m all for the rule and it’s about damn time!

[S_A_McKee]

[QUOTE=leilatigress;5896333]
Going 70mph down the road paying attention to your driving, and everyone around you and make sure to get to your exit on the freeway meanwhile listening to the kids fight in the back. Millions of people do it everyday. I’m really not seeing the issue of not knowing how many times you hit the horse with the whip. Figure out how to win the race without whipping the hell out of the horse. Showjumping has a rule on it and they have to remember strides, lines, etc. So again I’m all for the rule and it’s about damn time![/QUOTE]

For USEF jumpers the rule is no hitting on the head and no excessive use of the whip. It is not defined in the same way as it is for racing

[Toadie_s_mom]

@S A McKee;5896386

For USEF jumpers the rule is no hitting on the head and no excessive use of the whip. It is not defined in the same way as it is for racing

Same for eventing, purely subjective.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=Toadie’s mom;5896546]
Same for eventing, purely subjective.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. Definite “excessive.” The USEF rule is completely subjective (and applied subjectively, to boot.) Go back and find the thread on that jumper who got penalized for using the whip and look at all the posters who pointed out how hard it is to say what’s excessive if you’re not on the horse. Also, define ‘using the whip.’ How does the steward tell if the jock flicked the whip to show them or made contact? Is nagging at them with flicks as effective as one solid smack? (It’s certainly not for riding horses.)

As for driving–trying to pay attention to things they shouldn’t be thinking about (like children, cell phones, the radio, etc) is how thousands of people die every year, and why thousands more get reckless-driving tickets. They’re doing the equivalent of asking F1 drivers to text-message while racing.

[GoingUp_POP]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65560/feud-over-british-whip-rules-growing

s*** will hit the fan if this rule costs Frankel the race.