Radical whip changes unveiled by BHA

Sweeping changes to the controversial whip rules are set to come into effect before the Cheltenham Festival.

In his first major challenge since being appointed the British Horseracing Authority’s new chief executive, Paul Bittar proposed fresh amendments which were approved at a board meeting yesterday.

The board has given the thumbs-up to a fundamental change to the rules governing use of the whip, which is due to be implemented in early March, together with revisions to the existing penalty structure, which come into effect tomorrow.