Take whip away from repeat offenders

Sir,

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) introduced new whip rules on April 9th. It is not surprising that a lot of the flat riders are taking time to adapt to them.

After only 32 days Chris Hayes broke the rules for the fourth time and was referred to the Referrals Committee where he received a six-day suspension. No doubt the jockeys will adapt or incur a lot of mini-holidays.

However, what is alarming and shocking is that the two riders with the next highest number of offences (three) are both apprentices. What’s worse is that one is a 10lb claimer and the other is a 7lb claimer. This is quite incredible.

Given that such inexperienced riders have incurred this number of sanctions with a system that is only 50 days old (at the time of writing) one has to ask if the system of apprenticeship has broken down?

I should add that one of the 10 riders with two whip offences is a 10lb claimer.

The vast majority of offences are for Rule 10.3 (g) which is using the whip with excessive frequency. I think the IHRB might change behaviour of riders quicker if they focused on Rule 10.3 (I). This requires a rider to allow a horse three strides to respond to a smack of the whip. This means a rider can only hit the horse on the fourth stride after each whip stroke.

Given that eight strikes are allowed then a horse whose rider adheres to the rules will have gone 32 strides when the limit is reached. That is a considerable distance.

A more radical approach might be to suspend their use of the whip when they run up a set number of whip offences. The basis here being: use the whip correctly and responsibly or we will take it off you for a given period. That would surely focus their minds on the rules. The current evidence is shocking and needs immediate action.

My proposal is radical but we need to think outside the box to continue producing horsemen and women. - Yours etc.,

JOHN LYNAM

Dublin 2

Customer at the core

Sir, - As a weekly reader of The Irish Field, and your column in particular, I want to compliment you on your incisive approach to pertinent matters.

Your speech at the recent awards ceremony highlighted two issues, mental health and racecourse attendance.

On the point of mental health, this is a constant theme of yours and cannot be overemphasised.

With regard to attendances, and as a weekly racegoer myself, the age profile of the general attendees tells its own story. The younger generation are not coming racing. It is as simple as that.

Regretfully, the powers that be are making little or no attempt at addressing the situation.

I am particularly disappointed that the new management at the Curragh has changed its ‘membership’ offering. Instead of the €350 ‘season ticket plus reserved seat and access to premier lounge’ option, we are asked to pay €950 for annual membership.

Someone must face the realities and be proactive. The customer is at the core of racing after all.

Yours etc.,

DENIS LINEHAN,

Ballyviniter,

Mallow,

Co Cork

The Breener at Punchestown

Sir, - A big ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in the commissioning and unveiling of “The Breener” at Punchestown 2019. In particular a special thanks to the fundraising and organising committee, which consists of David Mongey, Mary Healy, Valerie Osborne and Pat Murphy, and to everyone who made possible, through their contribution, the bringing to fruition this wonderful tribute to the late Fr Sean Breen.

The unveiling was a very special occasion with so many of his friends in attendance. His great friend Joanna Morgan recounted some wonderful memories, as did Dick O’Sullivan, while a lovely address from Bishop Eamon Ryan gave the whole occasion its blessing and context. Great credit and thanks must go to sculptor Emma McDermott for her fine work. - Yours etc.,

DONAL BREEN,

(on behalf of the Breen family)

Kilternan,

Co Dublin.

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to The Editor, The Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Name, address and telephone number must be included for verification. Letters are published at the Editor’s discretion and the Editor reserves the right to edit letters within reason.