Hayley Turner

So here are the amendments for the new whip rules which kick in
today…

1/ The limit previously was 7 after that we would receive an
automatic suspension, the new rule means that the number 7 is now a trigger for
the steward to review the ride.

2/The steward will look to see if an inquiry is necessary, they
will ask what the reason was for the extra smacks. For example was the horse
hanging? Was it used for a safety issue or just to get more out of the horse? Was
it used with excessive force? Did the horse have time to respond?…..

3/ If a rider is found guilty for using the whip more times than
necessary they receive a suspension, if once over it’s a 2 day suspension, twice
over it’s a four day suspension and three times over seven days.

4/ Previous offences are not taken into account, riders will be
referred after their fifth offence of a two, six-day ban within the previous
six months or after seven days or more within the previous six months.

5/In a race worth £27,500 or more on the flat and £20,ooo over
jumps the stewards have the ability to fine the jockeys between £200 and
£10,000. They will judge this on the severity of the offence and the rider’s
earnings in that race.

The rules have been diluted massively since they originally came
out, the view from the weighing room is very positive, I think once the
stewards are realistic and fair about each individual situation, this time
around it could work. Let’s hope that’s the end of the whip conflict and now we
can all focus on the sport itself.

Great news yesterday about the whip rule alteration, it has been a pleasing change all round but particularly from the weighing room.

This change has been the forth since the original rule came in September. It’s a shame the BHA had to complicate things so much in the first place but it’s done now, hopefully these rules are here so stay and only minor alterations will be necessary.

The change is that instead of an automatic suspension once a ride goes over 8 smacks it will just trigger the stewards to have a look back at the ride and how the whip has been used throughout the race, they will look to see if the smacks have been to forceful or the horse has not had time to respond to them.

I see that the RSPCA have announced the new rules are unwelcome but surely if they had seen the whips first hand it would not be in issue, and for anyone reading this that is in agreement with them please take the time to have a look at these whip, I am 100% confident your view will change.

I loved the quote in the Racing Post today that from Paul Struthers “The PJA will continue to work closely with the BHA ” That’s a confidence boost for me anyway, the new chief executives seem to be having an effect and working together is a major key.

I probably shouldn’t say this because it’s is tempting fate but since I have been back riding I haven’t incurred a suspension for careless riding, I think knowing you can’t pick your whip up so easily has me grabbing hold of them more and getting them running which makes them more balance either that or the stern warning I got off my agent helped! I think it’s better for apprentices to learn to ride this way too.

Fingers crossed this new change runs smoothly and we can all enjoy the talent at Cheltenham.

PS. Did you see Efistorm win again….I love him!

 The Racing Authorities have tightened up on the Whip Rules, this change has been well received by the Racing Industry.

As from October 5th Flat Jockeys are restricted to using the whip 7 times throughout a race and are limited to only hit the horse 5 times inside the final furlong whilst, Jump Jockeys are restricted to 8.

Speaking from a Flat Jockeys point of view, I felt the rules did need changing for the public perception as much as anything else. The rules are simple, there are no grey areas, and I’d like to think we can all count up to 7! It’s pleasing to see the Authorities have accepted the whip as a tool of our trade.

Im not sure how the jump boys have reacted to the new change, obviously they have a much larger distance to cover, having never ridden over the jumps before I can’t really comment.

I met The Wanted in the paddock once at Newbury Racecourse and the picture is of me tying to demonstrate how harmless the whip really is……