RACING fans reacted with disgust after footage of a jockey hitting a horse in the face surfaced on social media.
Argentinian rider William Pereyra was caught on camera smacking his horse twice on the head with his whip after a race.
The jockey, who was the champion apprentice in Argentina in 2017 and has ridden hundreds of winners, was banned for just FOUR days for the disgraceful act.
That punishment was viewed as nowhere near sufficient by most racing fans.
Some even called for the 27-year-old to be banned for life, although officials clearly felt the punishment was enough.
The horrific incident, shared widely online, happened on April 15, just moments after Pereyra had finished fourth in a five-furlong sprint on Soy Respetable.
Pererya looked to be having difficulty controlling the horse in the closing stages at San Isidro racecourse in Buenos Aires.
And after the line he completely lost his temper and appeared to smack the five-year-old twice across the head.
But such was the shocking leniency the stewards showed him, he was back riding just four days later.
One outraged fan said: “That should be a lifetime ban.”
Another said: “Pretty sure he wouldn’t be allowed to ride again if he did that in this country.
“Sad. Rules seem very lenient in Argentina.”
Another Tweeted: “Wow… incredible… unacceptable…
“The owners and trainer of that horse should have a voice and ask for a greater sanction given the seriousness of what was done.”
While Pererya’s actions were condemned, the length of his ban is exactly the same as the one dished out in 2017 to Davy Russell after he was filmed punching a horse in the back of the head.
Russell’s actions caused outrage – but Irish racing chiefs felt a four-day ban was a harsh enough punishment.
