BHA Amends Whip Rules; World Horse Welfare ‘Disappointed’

The BHA has softened the new whip rules implemented Oct. 10, much to the dismay of World Horse Welfare.
Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

Following an outcry from jockeys, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has amended rules implemented Oct. 10, including those that result in disciplinary measures for jockeys using their whips more than five times inside the final furlong of a flat race or after the final hurdle in a jump race. However, World Horse Welfare (WHW), a U.K.-based equine welfare charity, is disappointed in the amendments.

The rules had proven controversial, with the suspensions of several leading riders, one of whom announced his retirement, and the forfeiture of a purse for the jockey in a group I race at Ascot.

In its Oct. 21 action the BHA left in place rules that call for disciplinary action when a rider uses the whip a total of seven times in a flat race and eight jumps over hurdles.

But the amended rules, which were scheduled to take effect with racing as of Oct. 21, also mean riders will no longer lose their purse earnings in a race for which they were suspended for violating a whip rule. The BHA also said that it has rescinded penalties imposed on jockeys while the new rules were in place and will adjust them accordingly based on its actions

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.

Share

Written by:

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

Where do you primarily feed your horse?
292 votes · 292 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!