After threats by jockeys to take strike action, and continued controversy, the British Horseracing Authority has announced major changes to the new whip rules.
The limit on the number of times a jockey may use his whip, seven times during a flat race and eight in a jumps race, remains, but the clause which restricts the number of uses in the final furlong, or after the last hurdle, to five, has been dropped.
Riders will not lose their riding fee if they get banned for a whip offence and will forfeit their prize-money percentage only if receiving a suspension of seven days or more, up from three. Therefore a jockey who uses one more hit than allowed will not lose his or her prize-money percentage.
All whip bans incurred since the introduction of the new harsher regime that came in on October 10 will be subject to the new set of rules, which come into effect from the start of racing on Friday.
One jockey who will be breathing a sigh of relief at the new ruling is Christophe Soumillon, who lost his £52,000 share of the prize-money when he was banned for five days after hitting Cirrus Des Aigles six times in the final furlong when winning the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last Saturday. He’ll now be paid.
The BHA's statement said: "The Board is committed to the highest standards of regulation in the sport, and ensuring that British horseracing continues to lead the way in matters of equine welfare.
"This is a sport not without its challenges, but they will always be outweighed by thesport's strengths. These challenges will best be met – and are being met – by finding a common purpose amongst the sport’s participants, and by putting the sport first."
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