Jockeys' CEO keen for talks on whip regulations

Newly-appointed Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Paul Struthers is looking forward to bringing his own ideas to the table as a resolution to the controversial whip rules is sought.

Struthers, 38, was the former British Horseracing Authority head of communications until leaving that post in November. In all, he worked for the governing and regulatory bodies of racing for almost 11 years.

Struthers is now preparing to sit on the other side of the fence when he succeeds Kevin Darley as the head of the PJA in the middle of February.

Struthers said: “I’ve enjoyed the last couple of months as it has given me time to spend with my family, but I’m delighted to get back to work and feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity.

“Clearly the whip issue has not gone away. Just because I have not been working in the sport for the past two and a half months, it does not mean I have not been following developments closely.

“There are obviously still some major issues which need addressing and I do have my own ideas, but it is important to get a clear mandate from the PJA members.

“Jockeys deserve huge credit for their Herculean efforts over the past couple of months, changing to a completely different set of rules overnight.

“I don’t officially start working until February 13, but I will be getting out on the racecourse in the meantime to talk to jockeys and get a clear picture of what changes they feel are needed.

“Hopefully we’ll get chance to sit down with Jamie Stier and Paul Bittar from the BHA in the very near future. I know there was a meeting on Friday and there is another one coming up either just before or just after I start work.”

Struthers does not believe the change between two very different roles will prove a problem.

He said: “That was an issue which obviously came up during the recruitment process, but I don’t see it being a major issue.

“When you change jobs, you normally have a different job to do and that will obviously be the case.”

BHA chief executive Bittar, who himself was only appointed last week, said over the weekend it was paramount the whip issue was resolved before the highly anticipated Cheltenham Festival in March, the highlight of the National Hunt season.

Struthers is very much in agreement, saying: “Having worked for the BHA for many years, I know that at every Cheltenham Festival the whip issue comes up at some stage during the week.

“It would be a crying shame if the new whip rules made matters worse.”

On Struthers’ appointment, the PJA’s joint presidents Steve Drowne and AP (Tony) McCoy said in a statement: “Although we are disappointed to lose the services of Kevin Darley, the PJA is very pleased to have been able to appoint as his successor someone of the high calibre of Paul Struthers, who possesses broad and excellent experience of racing gained over many years working in the industry.”

The BHA also issued a statement from Bittar, who said: “On behalf of BHA I would like to pass on my congratulations to Paul following his appointment as chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association.

“The relationship between the regulator and jockeys is obviously an important one, covering a broad range of issues, and we are looking forward to working with the PJA under Paul’s leadership.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Kevin Darley for the work he has done for the PJA and we wish him all the best for the future. He remains one of the BHA’s Jockey Coaches and so young riders will continue to receive the benefit of his experience and advice.”