Racing:Sweeping changes to the controversial whip rules are set to come into effect before next month's Cheltenham Festival.
In his first major challenge since being appointed the British Horseracing Authority’s new chief executive, Paul Bittar proposed fresh amendments which were approved at a board meeting today.
The board has given the thumbs-up to a fundamental change to the rules governing use of the whip, which is due to be implemented in early March, together with revisions to the existing penalty structure, which come into effect on Thursday.
Rather than it being an automatic breach when a rider uses the whip eight times on the flat and nine times over jumps, the figures become the trigger point for the stewards to review the ride in question.
Stewards will then consider how the rider has used the whip in the course of exceeding the allowed number before deciding whether a breach has occurred and a penalty is warranted.
Bittar said: “Over four months have passed since the introduction of the first set of rules following the whip review.
“Despite a number of changes to both the rule and the accompanying penalty structure it is clear that while many objectives of the review are being met, and in particular those pertaining to horse welfare, a rule which polices the use of the whip based solely on a fixed number of strikes is fundamentally flawed.
“While well intentioned, and in accordance with initial requests from the jockeys for clarity and consistency via a fixed number, in practice the new rules have repeatedly thrown up examples of no consideration being given to the manner in which the whip is used as well as riders being awarded disproportionate penalties for the offence committed.
“The challenge is to have in place a rule and penalty structure which meets the objectives for fairness and proportionality outlined in the Whip Review while retaining the positives which have been a product of the changes to date.
“These include the virtual removal of all serious breaches and an overall reduction in the number of offences.
“We are confident there is not a welfare problem associated with the use of the cushioned whip in British racing.
“The objective of this proposal is to keep jockeys riding to a similar standard as they are now with regard to their significantly reduced use of the whip, but with added discretion and common sense applied by stewards when considering whether a rider is in breach of the rules.”
Bittar’s aim has been to try to prevent the Cheltenham Festival being overshadowed by the issue that has dogged the sport under both codes since last October.
The revised penalty structure, which will take effect on Thursday, will also be retrospectively applied to suspensions still to be served.
One strike over will still warrant a two-day ban, but two more will now incur a four-day suspension, rather than five days as at present.
In a radical change, repeat offences at both the lower and upper level of whip offences will not result in the penalty multiplying. Each offence will now be treated on its merits.
Repeat offenders will, however, be referred to the disciplinary panel of the BHA.
Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), welcomed the changes.
He said in a statement: “The PJA is pleased by today’s decision by the British Horseracing Authority to make important amendments to both the rules and the penalties relating to the use of the whip within racing.
“The adjustment to the penalty regime is welcome, as the previous penalty structure was not appropriate.
“However, of greater importance is the general change of approach to how the rules are fundamentally framed and applied, which was the overriding issue, not just for jockeys but for racing generally.
“This change recognises that a ‘grey’ issue cannot be proportionately and fairly regulated by a ‘black and white’ rule, and that jockeys are skilled horsemen who care passionately about horses and are being denied the ability to use their full skill and judgment throughout the course of the race.
“If this is implemented as the PJA believes is the intention, jockeys will no longer be punished for genuine, wholly unintended mistakes nor for otherwise perfectly acceptable rides.
“I will continue the dialogue with the BHA as they finalise the guidelines for how this approach will be implemented.
“Around 90 per cent of the offences under the rules that came into force in October 2011 would not have come close to constituting an offence under the old rules.
“Jockeys have collectively made Herculean efforts to change their riding styles overnight and deserve enormous credit not just for that but for their patience whilst discussions to find a sensible solution to the major issues were taking place.
“There might still need to be further minor adjustments and the PJA will continue to work closely with the BHA as part of the on-going monitoring.
“However, everyone hopes that once the revised interpretation of the rules comes into force, racing can return to talking about the positives, rather than focusing on and reinforcing an inaccurate and unwarranted impression of both the sport and its jockeys.
“This has been an on-going process over the last two months and I would therefore like to extend credit to my predecessor Kevin Darley for his efforts.
“Just because the PJA did not publicly and explicitly speak about certain concerns does not mean that they were not raised as fundamental issues for its members.”