BHA reveals further changes to whip rules but insists 'no dilution'

Jockeys will still be allowed to use the whip in the forehand position under revised changes to riding rules – but the number of times a rider may strike their mount will be further reduced. The implementation of the new rules will begin with a 'bedding-in period' next week.

The British Horseracing Authority first set out a raft of alterations to the rules in the summer, with jockeys only allowed to use the whip in the backhand position and serious breaches of the regulations to result in disqualification from races and possible 28-day bans for riders in major races.

However, a number of riders registered their disquiet over the proposed changes last month, particularly the implementation of the backhand-only position, with the BHA then announcing further consultation to “explore options that address the concerns being raised”.

That discussion has now led to another set of revisions, with the backhand-only edict rescinded, although that change has resulted in a reduction to the permitted number of strikes in a race and the removal of 'discretion' for stewards, meaning every use of the whip shall count towards the threshold unless clearly used for safety purposes.

Flat jockeys had been allowed to use their whip a maximum of seven times, with jump jockeys allowed eight instances. Both numbers have been reduced by one under the new regulations.

Under the initial set of a revisions, a jump jockey who used their whip 12 or more times – with 11 strikes or more for Flat jockeys – in any race could be disqualified, with those numbers now reduced to 11 and 10 respectively.

Following further consultation it was felt that jockeys who had suffered from shoulder or collarbone injuries may find use of the whip solely in the backhand position more challenging.

Penalties for going above the new thresholds will also be further increased from those announced previously.

The implementation of the new rules remains due to come in on January 9 for a four-week bedding-in period. The new rules will come into full force for jump jockeys on February 6.

Flat counterparts begin with a bedding-in period on February 27, with full implementation from March 27.

David Jones, regulatory independent non-executive director for the BHA, and chair of the Whip Consultation Steering Group, said: “An extremely thorough consultation was carried out over the course of 2021 and 2022, followed by an extensive technical discussion phase after the publication of the recommendations in July this year.

“Efforts were taken to listen to the views of jockeys from both codes, over many hours. This consultation has arguably been the most thorough undertaken by the BHA in relation to any specific regulatory reform in the past.

“In order to ensure that this process was suitably rigorous we pushed back the planned autumn implementation date for new rules.

“However, we are committed to listening to our participants, and when further views and information come to light very late in the day, and following the conclusion of that process, we were duty bound to consider it, and make representations to the BHA board accordingly.”

The BHA board insisted the latest changes do not “reflect a dilution of the package of rule changes” in their view, but was instead a “a method of achieving the same outcomes through a different approach”.

BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith said: “The BHA board had previously endorsed the clear set of objectives set out by the Whip Consultation Steering Group in the summer. They included that the perception of whip use must be improved by ensuring that its use is more judicious and better controlled.

“It became clear through the views raised in the last few weeks, and which were presented to the BHA board, that the backhand-only rule could potentially have caused difficulties for some riders. However, in considering making changes it was essential that the BHA board were not doing anything to dilute the outcome of the whip report.

“The BHA board has therefore agreed these further changes, which resolve the issues with the backhand-only rule, but retain the objective of making whip use visibly more palatable to the public, therefore helping to safeguard engagement with the sport amongst our fans present and future.

“We now hope and expect to see these new rules being respected and a visible change in whip use to be brought about amongst our jockeys, and those riding over here.

“The board also expressed the view that the sport should try to avoid any situation arising again whereby, following the conclusion of an extensive consultation process, further pertinent information comes to light. This point has been strongly emphasised to the PJA and we are pleased that the PJA has agreed to review its consultation processes in the light of this.”

Under the revised penalties, should any jockey now use their whip four times above the permitted level, they will be banned for 14 days (up from 10) and be disqualified, with five strikes above leading to disqualification and a 20-day ban (up from 14).

One strike above the permitted level will now be a four-day ban, as opposed to the three which was announced in November. Two above is seven days instead of five, with three above prompting a 10 day-suspension instead of seven.

All penalties in class one and two races will be doubled, meaning a 40-day ban is possible for a jockey using their whip five times above the permitted number in those races.

Tom Cannon believes whip rules should be “fairly black and white now” after the British Horseracing Authority revised the proposed changes to the current regulations.

The BHA announced a series of alterations to the rules in the summer, with jockeys only allowed to use the whip in the backhand position and serious breaches of the regulations to result in disqualification from races and possible 28-day bans for riders in major races.

However, further revisions were made to those plans after a number of riders registered their disquiet, with the implementation of the backhand-only position proving a particularly unpopular prospect.

The BHA announced on Wednesday that the forehand position would be allowed, but overall permitted use of the whip in races would be reduced while penalties will be made much stiffer, with 40-day bans a possibility for the worst offences in class one and two races.

Flat riders will be allowed to strike their mounts six times in a race, with jump jockeys allowed seven uses of the whip – a compromise which Cannon feels is satisfactory when combined with tougher penalties.

He said: “They were pushing for us to use the backhand and it is what it is now. The forehand position looks better, it looks better to ride with, better for the horses, so hopefully common sense has prevailed. So, hopefully we can just get on with it now and concentrate on the racing.

“I was involved later on (with discussions) but not to begin with, like a lot of us were. A lot of us were not in the initial discussions, but it got a lot more serious and as time went on and we realised that they were coming in and a lot of us got involved.

“I think common sense has prevailed and while there will be a few bans dotted about, that is going to be the case whatever. We just have to concentrate on the racing now, which won’t be affected.

“We said that using it in the backhand position was not great for the horses, as a lot of jockeys can’t use it properly in that position and you are hitting them down the ribs a lot. That opens up a can of worms in itself.

“Losing one hit and getting stronger penalties takes the grey area out of it and it is fairly black and white now. Hopefully, it is something everyone can abide by and it is definitely an improvement on what they suggested first time around.”

Charlie Deutsch reported the “majority” of riders to be happy with the changes and believes it should benefit their equine partners too.

He said: “I think it is a better way forward – just the technique is better, basically. And that makes it easier for jockeys to land the whip in the right place.

“With the backhand, you are more likely to get their ribs, instead of their rump. You want to be going for the fleshy backend, which is very important.

“It would have been a big old problem for a few years (if the proposed rules had not been changed), so all credit to the BHA for changing their minds so quickly, so we can get it done, move on and get some good publicity.

“If they have to do something, then they have to be harsh with the way it is going. The majority of the weighing room are happy. I just spoke to the lads towards the latter stages, but left it to the senior jockeys.”

Sean Bowen incurred a four-day ban for his winning ride aboard Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree last month, when the stewards found he had hit his mount in the wrong place as he practiced his backhand whip use in the finish.

He said: “It is massive for me more than a lot of people, because I have always had a backhand issue, trying to get it all the way back you do find sometimes you are hitting the horse in the wrong place in the backhand, I’ve been trying to adapt myself – then the new rules came out last night. I got myself a ban for no reason whatsoever.

“Hitting them in the forehand is the correct way and the penalties go up at the same time, which is also correct.”

Bowen welcomed the BHA’s stronger penalty structure, with a minimum ban of four days for exceeding the permitted limit once, rising to 20 days and disqualification for five hits in standard races – a ban that will be doubled for the major contests.

He added: “It needs to happen. There were too many jockeys trying to use their backhand, using it above shoulder height and hitting them in the wrong place and it wasn’t going to work. The penalties have gone up and (that) needed to be done and it will stop anyone ever thinking one more will do.

“The boys are delighted. I’ve picked up two or three bans in the last month, trying to use my backhand and trying to get used to it. I’ve done it all for no reason, but the correct decision has been made.

“I think the stewards and also us, when we were trying to do it, we thought at the time it might not be great. But when were were really trying, it wasn’t working whatsoever and everyone realised it was going to be a disaster, especially before Cheltenham and it was going to ruin our sport.”