BHA: Whip meeting 'productive'

Representatives of the weighing room and the training ranks met with British Horseracing Authority officials, including the incoming chief executive Paul Bittar, in London on Friday to discuss the controversial whip rules.

The sanctions were originally introduced in October and although some amendments have been made, a number of riders under both codes have continued to oppose the changes.

Kevin Darley, Professional Jockeys Association chief executive, led the riders’ delegation, while members of the National Trainers Federation were also in attendance.

Jamie Stier, BHA director of raceday operations and regulation, said the talks were “productive”.

He said: “I would like to thank the representatives from the PJA and NTF for taking the time to come to London for what proved to be a productive meeting.

“A number of incidents were reviewed and a range of topics covered regarding the whip rules and accompanying penalty structure.

“Today’s meeting forms an essential part of our ongoing monitoring process within the current review period.

“It was explained that any further adjustments to the rules or penalties - should any be implemented – would need to follow due process including approval from the BHA board where appropriate.

“We identified areas of common ground, recognising the issues raised by the PJA and NTF and we intend to explore these further as part of the ongoing consultation process.

“This includes the need for greater use of discretion by stewards and also might include developing an incentive for riders who do not breach the rules over a set period or set number of rides.”

Although the changes to the rules suggested stewards would be able to use more discretion, jockeys have continued to find themselves in hot water.

Robert Winston received a 22-day suspension at Southwell earlier this month and amateur Robert Cooper getting 52 days at Fontwell on the same afternoon.

Will Kennedy was handed a seven-day ban and lost his prize-money percentage after winning the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last Saturday on board Swincombe Flame.

Stier added: “I would add that we remain committed to adhering to the principles of the whip review and the objectives therein, which includes ensuring there are no unintended consequences as a result of implementing the review.

“As has been publicised recently in the form of statistics, we are seeing very encouraging evidence that some of those objectives are being met, including a 14% decrease in whip offences (as a percentage of rides) and a 57% decrease in ’technical offences’.

“The jockeys undoubtedly deserve great credit for the way in which they have adapted their riding styles following the introduction of what were significant changes to the rules.

“We’re committed to working with the PJA on this issue and look forward to further constructive consultation.”

The number of strikes per race for the whip by a jockey remains at seven for the Flat, and eight over jumps.

Any rider going one strike over the allowed limit receives a two-day ban, while a second offence for one extra is doubled.

Two uses of the whip over the permitted limit results in a five-day ban, and three extra results in a seven-day ban.

A seven-day ban is the point at which a rider will lose his/her percentage of prize-money won.

Darley described Friday’s meeting as “positive and constructive”, but reiterated his opposition against the severity of both the penalties meted out by the BHA and the deduction of prize-money.

He said: “The PJA has had a very constructive meeting with the British Horseracing Authority today about aspects of the rules on the use of the whip by jockeys.

“A major issue for us is that stewards should be allowed to use their discretion when judging the ride of a jockey.

“The stewards must be able to interpret the rules and use discretion when they deem it appropriate.

“We are concerned that the penalties imposed on jockeys should be more proportionate.

“Jockeys also remain unhappy about the deduction of prize-money.

“Our meeting with the BHA was both positive and constructive and we look forward to reconvening in the weeks ahead when we would earnestly hope that a resolution to these outstanding matters can be found.”