IRISH jump jockeys met with senior British Horseracing Authority officials this week to discuss the new whip rules in Britain and the riders remain concerned that they are more likely to receive suspensions at Cheltenham than their British counterparts.
Since February 13th, the whip can only be used seven times (reduced from eight) in a jumps race in Britain. A horse could be disqualified if the whip is used four times or more above the permitted level. There are also stiffer penalties for using the whip incorrectly, in particular if used above shoulder height, and the suspensions are longer if rules are broken in bigger races.
British-based jockeys had the benefit of a ‘bedding-in period’ in January and early February, when they were notified if their riding breached the new rules but they were not penalised.
Since the new rules took effect, the BHA’s Whip Review Committee meets every Tuesday to consider referred cases from the previous week’s racing and decides on penalties. So far just two runners-up have been disqualified.
Andrew Coonan of the Irish Jockeys Association said: “Brant Dunshea, the BHA’s chief regulatory officer, and Shaun Parker and Sam Angel of the Whip Review Committee met with jockeys in the IHRB offices this week. It was well attended and the BHA were very generous with their time.
“It was our intention to make Irish riders as familiar as possible with the updated rules and give them a chance to adapt their riding styles where necessary. We watched some videos during the meeting and the BHA were able to highlight a few things our riders might need to look at.
“It was a very useful meeting but it was not the same as having a bedding-in period and our concerns are very much still alive in relation to next week.”
Jockeys deemed to have broken the whip rules at Cheltenham can expect to be informed of the Whip Review Committee decision on Tuesday or Wednesday, March 21st or 22nd. Unless the jockey lodges an appeal, any suspension will take effect 14 days later.
Using that timetable, bans picked up at Cheltenham will likely start on Tuesday, April 4th, a week before Easter and nine days before Aintree starts.
Starting procedures
Jump jockeys also met with the IHRB starters this week to review race starting procedures. This meeting was scheduled before last Sunday’s Wexford fixture where problems at the start led to seven riders receiving suspensions.
Coonan said: “Two of those jockeys have lodged appeals, so it would not be appropriate to comment publicly on that case at this time. However, I would say that in general the ‘flag’ system introduced in July 2021 is working well.
“This involves a starter raising his flag to indicate that the race-time has arrived. It is then up to the jockeys to approach the starter in a controlled manner. Once the starter is satisfied they are doing that, he drops the flag.
“It’s proving very successful and occasionally we meet with the starters to discuss if any amendments are required. In theory the starter doesn’t need to use his voice at all but jockeys do appreciate some vocal indication of how long is left before the starter intends to raise his flag.”
The Wexford incident saw jockeys ordered to make a standing start following two earlier false starts. When the tape was raised, one horse whipped around and unseated his rider, severely hampering two other runners.
An IHRB spokesperson said: “The starter is entitled to use their discretion to call for a standing start. What happened was unfortunate but the stewards on the day deemed a fair start had been effected and we would agree with that.”
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