RACING:THE Turf Club has ruled out dramatic changes to its whip laws on the back of a report examining use of the whip in Irish racing released yesterday, writes Brian O'Connor.
A review group into the whip was organised last September following the furore surrounding changes brought into British racing in regard to use of the stick.
Much of the steam on that issue was let out before Cheltenham in early March when the British Horseracing Authority amended their guidelines and the review group here has concluded there isn’t a problem overall with the use of the whip in Ireland.
The five-man group met with parties and groups within racing and also concluded discretion by stewards into penalties on whip use is important.
Irish racing’s regulatory body has, however, accepted a number of recommendations by the group and they will come into place at the start of July.
They include the mandatory use of a cushioned whip, which has to be approved by the Turf Club. Use of the stick above shoulder height is prohibited. There will also be greater penalties for overuse.
