Important changes to whip usage
On March 19, 2009, the Australian Racing Board (ARB) announced sweeping changes to the rules governing the use of the whip in Australian racing.
The new Australian Rule of Racing 137A takes effect from August 1, 2009 and the full text of that rule is set out below.
The new rule was developed after extensive consultation both within the industry and with interested members of the public.
Submissions were received from various parties including the RSPCA, Animals Australia, Animal Liberation, Equine Veterinarians Australia, the Australian Jockeys Association, the Australian Trainers Association, the Australian Racehorse Owners Council and members of the public.
Essentially, the changes fall into six (6) categories:
Types of whips
Only padded whips are to be used in races or official trials. The National Chairman of Stewards Advisory Group has determined the specifications of permissible padded whips and those specifications will be published on QRL’s website (www.queenslandracing.com.au).
The circumstances in which a whip may be used
The new rule limits the circumstances in which a whip may be used by preventing the whip being used when the horse is out of contention, is showing no response, has passed the winning post or has no reasonable prospect of improving or losing it’s position. There are further restrictions in that the rider must give the horse time to respond and the whip must not be used in consecutive strides, other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner. The exception to this is that on one occasion in the last 200 metres the whip may be used in three consecutive strides.
Riders are also prevented from using the whip more than five times prior to the 200 metres other than with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.
The way in which a whip may be used
The new rule also limits the way in which a whip may be used in that a rider may not use his whip forward of the horse’s shoulder or in the vicinity of the head, use an action that raises his arm above the shoulder height nor use his whip in such a way as to cause injury to his horse.
Education campaign
Many jockeys don’t rely greatly on the whip, but others may need to adjust their style.
To assist in this regard, the ARB has produced a DVD demonstrating what is and is not permissible. QRL will be conducting roadshows throughout Queensland prior to August 1, 2009 to show all jockeys, trainers and interested parties the DVD and to explain further the operation of the rule and how the stewards will implement it.
Moreover, additional stewards will be rostered for race meetings throughout July to provide specific guidance and feedback to riders on their style, particularly those who may be in risk of breaching the rule.
Penalties
After the education program and implementation of the new rule, stewards will enforce the rule in a nationally consistent manner. To that end, the National Chairman of Stewards will develop a national template of penalties for breaches of the rule including a policy of forfeiture of prizemoney percentages in the case of egregious breaches.
Importantly, trainers, owners or agents may also be punished if they provide instructions which, if carried out, might result in a breach of the rule.
A breach of the new rule will not be a basis upon which a protest or objection may be lodged.
Stockwhips
The use of stockwhips behind the barriers is now also banned.
In light of the earlier extensive consultation program and the more recent education strategy, the commencement of the rule on August 1, 2009 should not cause any disruption (see rule below). As always, any queries on the operation of the rules should immediately be referred to stewards.
New Australian Rules of Racing concerning whips
AR137A.
(1) (a) Only padded whips of a design and specifications approved by a panel appointed by the Australian Racing Board may be carried in races or official trials.
- Every such whip must be in a satisfactory condition and must not be modified in any way.
- The Stewards may confiscate any whip which in their opinion is not in a satisfactory condition or has been modified.
- Any rider who has been found guilty of a breach of this subrule may be penalised. Provided that the master and/or other person who is in charge of an apprentice jockey at the relevant time may also be penalised unless he satisfies the Stewards that he took all proper care to ensure the apprentice complied with the rule.
- Only whips of a design and specifications approved by a panel appointed by the Australian Racing Board may be carried in trackwork.
- The Stewards may penalise any rider who in a race, trial or trackwork, or elsewhere uses his whip in an excessive, unnecessary or improper manner.
- Without affecting the generality of subrule (3) of this rule, the Stewards may penalise any rider who in a race or trial uses his whip –
- forward of his horse’s shoulder or in the vicinity of its head; or
- using an action that raises his arm above shoulder height; or
- when his horse is out of contention; or
- when his horse is showing no response; or
- after passing the winning post; or
- causing injury to his horse; or
- when his horse is clearly winning; or
- has no reasonable prospect of improving or losing its position, or
- is such a manner that the seam of the flap is the point of contact with the horse, unless the rider satisfies the Stewards that this was neither deliberate nor reckless.
- In a race or trial a rider using the whip must give his horse time to respond and, other than on one occasion in the last 200 metres when the whip may be used in three consecutive strides, the whip shall not be used in consecutive strides, other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.
- A rider shall not use the whip more than 5 times prior to the 200 metres other than with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.
(7) (a) Any trainer, owner or authorised agent must not give instructions to a rider regarding the use of the whip which, if carried out, might result in a breach of this rule.
- No person may offer inducements to a rider, to use the whip in such a way that, if carried out, might result in a breach of this rule.
(8) Any person who fails to comply with any provisions of this rule is guilty of an offence.
AR175. The Committee of any Club or the Stewards may penalise:
- Any person who uses a stockwhip on a horse in any circumstances relating to racing, training or pre-training regardless of whether that horse is registered. (Effective 1 May 2009)
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QUEENSLAND Racing web news – May 23
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