Cheltenham Festival winner to be KO’d by new whip rules?

The fear now is that jockeys will be swayed by the championship trophies and lucrative handicap prizes up for grabs at Cheltenham and tempted into more infringements of the whip rules.

Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s chief regulatory officer, declared: “There is simply no excuse for using the whip four or more times above the permitted level.

“It was always likely that the disqualification rule would need to be invoked in the early stages of the implementation of the new rules. We hope that this sends a clear message to all jockeys and reinforces this deterrent effect.”

David Jones, chair of the Whip Consultation Steering Group, added: “The new rules are based on recommendations which were put to the BHA Board by a Steering Group which consisted of expertise drawn from across the racing industry and beyond, including prominent jockeys and trainers.

“They were unanimous in agreement that changes must be made to ensure more judicious use of the whip for encouragement, and improve the perception of whip use.”

Jones continued: “Jockeys consulted were in agreement that increased penalties were necessary.

“This is not about appeasing those who wish to see the sport banned, or attempting to convert them. It is instead about ensuring that racing takes control of its own destiny, and ensuring that we safeguard the sport against changing perceptions amongst its future audiences.

“Racing has so much to be proud about. We all look forward to celebrating the magnificent horses and people and the wonderful stories that our sport produces in the coming weeks.”

There seems to be a very realistic prospect of disqualifications at Cheltenham due to the new whip rules though and it is a serious concern for those involved.

Top Irish trainer Gordon Elliott told the Racing Post: “It’s scary and something that really worries me.

“It’s something that I actually lie in bed thinking about at night, that you could win a Gold Cup and then lose it the following week. That’s scary.

“For the Irish lads riding at Cheltenham, it’s going to be very tricky.”

He added: “I’d hate to be going back and watching a replay of a race I’ve won at Cheltenham and counting the strikes and wondering how many strikes there have been. Like a slap down the shoulder is considered a strike now.

“Someone very, very shrewd said to me the other day that they will be shocked if there is not a horse disqualified at Cheltenham.”

A total of 20 riding suspensions were incurred during the first week under the new whip rules.

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