Reflections on the Integration of the New Whip Guidelines

This past week, the spotlight's been on the contentious new whip regulations, particularly the sanctions introduced. The incident that brought this to the forefront was Lorcan Williams's suspension following his victory on Makin’yourmindup.

The Steering Group 

Initially, understanding the motivation behind these updated whip guidelines is crucial. They are established by the sport's regulatory authority, which, in May 2021, revealed a newly formed Whip Consultation Steering Group to evaluate the pre-existing rules and propose necessary revisions. British Horseracing Authority This group comprised 15 prominent figures, including noted racehorse trainers like Henry Daly and John Gosden, media personality Nick Lucky, and jockeys PJ McDonald and Tom Scudamore, the latter recently announcing his retirement from racing.

Additionally, the group included individuals associated with the racing scene, such as a Jockey Club Racecourses representative, a stud manager, a member of the House of Lords, a parliamentary figure, and a veterinary specialist.

Given the diversity of the group, it’s evident that a broad spectrum of perspectives was sought, though conspicuously missing were the viewpoints of both influential figures and the racing audience.

This development anchors back to a scheme outlined by the Horse Welfare Board, titled “A Life Well Lived - a new strategic plan for the welfare of horses bred for racing 2020-2024”. sportsbooks/bookmakers When the initial announcement was made, David Jones, chair of the group, remarked, “A fair, transparent consultation process is vital, considering the insights from everyone involved. Moreover, any decisions should be informed by experts with substantial domain knowledge, who can represent and weigh multiple viewpoints.”

Upon the new guidelines' unveiling, discussions arose about exactly who was part of the consultation and to what breadth.

Certain elements of the revised rules, particularly the mandate for using the whip in a backhand position, drew dissatisfaction among jockeys.

The New Rules

This directive has since been rescinded following jockey feedback, especially considering those with past shoulder or collarbone injuries.

Why this feedback didn’t reach the jockey representatives or involved trainers from the steering group remains unclear.

After the secondary consultation round, amendments to the main guidelines were implemented, as highlighted in a BHA press release dated January 4th, 2023: “Stewards will no longer have discretionary power over whip use infringements. Every instance will count toward thresholds, except when used for clear safety reasons, thus further curbing whip usage. Penalties for contraventions will be amplified, including double suspensions in top-tier races.”

In any race, if deemed necessary, Stewards are tasked with forwarding whip-related breaches to the Whip Review Committee. This body evaluates the situation later and determines if any punitive measures should be enacted.

The Committee consists of BHA's regulatory consultant Sam Angell, along with a BHA steward and a panel chair of stewards.^thLorcan Williams's recent ride progressed to this stage, with the racing community hearing about it primarily due to an interview Paul Nicholls conducted with Betfair’s Barry Orr.

Whip Review Committee

According to present penalties, a jockey exceeding the whip limit (seven for jumps, six for flat) faces a ban: four days for one extra hit, seven days for two, ten days for three, with the possibility of the horse’s disqualification for four or more extra hits.

Expressing to Betfair, Paul Nicholls, primary advocate for Lorcan Williams and trainer of Makin’yourmindup, conveyed the predicament: “Faced with the situation, Williams believed that an additional couple of hits were crucial to clinch the win, and if he hadn’t, he would have lost. What else could he do?”

This quote reveals multiple concerns, primarily the interpretation by a renowned trainer suggesting that putting down the whip after exhausting the allotted strikes equates to not trying.

Ideally, jockeys aware they've exhausted their hit quota should know they can still urge the horse on physically, and Stewards will differentiate between riding vigorously and easing up after the seventh strike.

The Williams Case 

Accusing a jockey of misjudgment for using the whip seven times before the race's closing phases could be easy, yet it’s plausible that the horse wouldn’t have been in a position to contest the lead without those actions.

On the latest Saturday, Lorcan Williams made the decision to exceed a few extra strikes to ensure triumph over Collectors Item, ridden by Kevin Brogan.

It’s significant to mention that these additional strikes weren’t just for winning by a large margin but securing a victory that was likely unobtainable within a three-quarter-gap had he adhered strictly to guidelines.

Undoubtedly aware of the repercussions, Williams made this deliberate call, given the penalties are doubled in significant races, like the Grade 2 event last Saturday.

Although Lorcan Williams's case received extensive attention in its inaugural week under the Whip Review Committee, he is certainly not alone in breaching the regulations.

Last week, the most severe breach was during Tuesday’s Ayr race when Charlotte Jones partnered Lunar Discovery to a runner-up spot.

Despite Lunar Discovery being disqualified, punters backing the Ayr contest winner pocketed their gains, whereas wagers on the fourth-positioned by Touch Of A Dragon received hits on their place bets now adjusted to third.

Other Cases

With the new regulations running, it’s essential to keep an eye on UK bookmakers upholding First Past The Post policies and offering dual result advantages.

Amidst these first week rule transitions, no fewer than 20 suspensions were issued to jockeys; a significant shake-up in the riding community.

Even seasoned jockeys like Aidan Coleman and Gavin Sheehan, widely regarded as veterans, have also run afoul of the whip rules.

Not only the UK but also France has introduced fresh whip-guidelines, with notable reductions on allowable hits and discerning utility between neck/shoulder hits outside of safety situations. A considerable aspect of Lorcan Williams's episode is how French whip laws are sterner, allowing fewer strikes. With the upcoming rules on the horizon, the comparison of Williams's case becomes pertinent. .

Commencing from the specified date, jockeys will only be allowed to whip four times during a race; hence examining what could have unfolded had Williams exceeded the limit by two or three becomes relevant.

Like in the UK, stricter penalties apply to Group/Graded races, akin to what took place in Haydock.

Overseas – France 

For a standard event, had Williams been a first-time offender over two months, going between three to five strikes over the limit could mean a six-day suspension, more if a conditional or amateur rider.

Considering it was a Graded race, for hitting seven to nine times (three over the limit), Williams faced a ten-day ban.^stMay.

Relatively speaking, if attempting to understand the measure of the Williams penalty in the French context, using beyond ten strikes in any race results in a suspension equaling the number of strikes.

To visualize, for Williams to receive the 16-day ban he incurred from his Haydock ride under the future French regime, he would’ve needed fourfold the allowable strikes.

I've consistently advocated for the unification of whip rules globally, or at least among countries where cross-border racing is prevalent weekly.

The UK, Ireland, and France can be grouped even with social nuances impacting how each region perceives animal sporting uses; what Ireland accepts might differ in France or the UK.

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