HORSE RACING chiefs have been forced to perform an embarrassing U-turn over ‘bloody ridiculous’ new whip rules after a jockeys revolt.
The BHA announced last summer dramatic changes to the whip rules, which included harsher penalties and restricted jockeys to using it in the backhand position.
Racing chiefs have performed a U-turn over controversial new whip rules
The rule that restricted jockeys to using the whip in the back-hand has been scrapped
Riders had become increasingly concerned about the new rules, which were due to begin at the end of this month after a four-week ‘bedding in’ period.
There had been growing unrest in the weighing room, and there was serious talk of a jockeys’ strike with the disquiet going up as high as Ryan Moore.
Top jumps jockey Harry Cobden was one of a number of riders to be openly critical of the rules, calling them ‘bloody ridiculous’.
BHA bigwigs agreed to get back around the table with jockey reps over the Festive period – and they have now scrapped the controversial backhand rule.
Jocks will be able to continue using the whip in the forehand position, although the number of times they can use it has been trimmed down.
The limit is now six strokes on the Flat and seven over jumps – down from seven and eight respectively.
Jockeys will still face disqualification if they go four over the limit – so 10 on the Flat and 11 over jumps.
The BHA said in a statement: “This change follows additional concerns being raised by jockeys in the last few weeks, including some information that was not aired during the consultation or technical discussion phase.
“This included the feedback that some jockeys who have suffered shoulder or collarbone injuries may find use of the whip solely in the backhand more challenging.
“Following a period of dialogue between the BHA, PJA and jockeys, the BHA board met to consider further representations from all parties, before deliberating and agreeing on the revisions to the rules.
“The objectives of the package of 20 recommendations includes developing rules that foster more considered and judicious use of the whip for encouragement, and improving the perception of whip use.
“The BHA board agreed that these objectives could be met equally through either the backhand-only rule, or the reduction in thresholds and increase in penalties announced today, when combined with the full package of measures announced in the summer.
“These changes do not, in the view of the BHA board, reflect a dilution of the package of rule changes, but instead a method of achieving the same outcomes through a different approach.”
But the move is viewed around the industry as a significant climbdown, considering the BHA announced the changes following a lengthy and thorough review of the whip rules.
The bedding-in period for new rules will now start next week over jumps, with the new rules taking effect on February 6, while they will start on March 27 on the Flat.
