Top jockey quits in protest of new whip rules
 

Richard Hughes has pledged to relinquish his riding licence with immediate effect until there is a review of the British Horseracing Authority's new whip rules after picking up another ban at Kempton on Thursday evening.
The Irishman was given a five-day suspension on the first afternoon the rules were put into effect on Monday, and he got another 10 at Kempton when finishing a neck second on More Than Words in the Play Rainbow Riches At bluesq.com Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The severity of the punishment was due to the fact it was his second offence.

Hughes gave up a ride later on, and must sit out October 29-31, November 1-5 and 9-10, meaning he will miss Strong Suit in the Breeders' Cup.




http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,22542_7239325,00.html

Oh, Queen's colors, nice picture ...

He makes a point.

Millions of dollars at stake....and the riders have to count how many times they use the whip....and are limited as well.

It's a world gone mad.

Like this change is needed because I am sure all those PETA supporters will be out at the track now betting with both fists. Just like the handle is going to double if Lasix is banned. I thought there was a rule in the books already about excessive use of the whip!!

Jump race yesterday in UK...

Horse breaks down at first or second fence. Kinda, sorta ends up down on the course...like, off to the side, but partly on the course.

1 3/4 miles later, jocks are back around, and guy is out on course waving yellow flag, which apparently means, STOP RACING. But just ahead, at the site of the breakdown, another guy is waving a checkered flag - which means, CAUTION due to an injury. 9 of the 10 jocks continue with the course and finish.

9 of the 10 jocks on horses left in the race are suspended five days for failing to heed signals of the course.

They are going CRAZY in the UK over all this. Not to mention whip rules.

Do they use the newer crops over there that are more "forgiving"... ?

Jockeys set to strike over whip fury on Monday

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse.../thewhipdebate

The rules are embarrassingly stupid..


"The jockey struck Cirrus Des Aigles six times, one less than the total of seven permitted - but he administered all six strikes inside the final furlong, for which there is a limit of five.

Soumillon - who has ridden Group 1 winners worldwide - loses his share of prize-money, which amounted to £50,868.87, and has incurred a five-day ban that could seriously damage his challenge for the champion jockey title in France."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...racing/932570/

Soumillon said he hadn't ridden in England in over a month meaning when he last did, this rule wasn't in place. So he was supposed to be counting strokes in the heat of a stretch run of a $2 million race and watching the furlong markers (do they even have them?) to make sure he doesn't give too many inside the final furlong? I can't wait til a jock hits the allowable mark and then stops...and is then suspended for failing to ride his horse out to the finish. Stupid rule.

yeah it really is ridiculous and what Soumillion said is so true - they are becoming a laughing stock - people chat here so much about how much harm racing does to itself and this is a prime example - people making really really stupid decisions without considering the consequences..

I've hit my horse six times, that's less than seven, yet I get banned and all my money taken. I was really shocked when I heard about Richard Hughes and was nervous when they asked me to ride Dick Turpin.

"I will ride here again, I never stop, I have contracts so I have to, butit's not great. My season has been difficult and £50,000 would have made a big difference. I can't pay my dentist now. The jockeys here are scared.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...racing/932570/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/hors...g/15323708.stm

Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon has lost about £50,000 in prize money and been given a five-day ban for flouting the new whip rules.

He was punished after he struck his mount six times in the final furlong as he won the £1.3m Champion Stakes on Cirrus Des Aigles at Champions Day.

"They changed the rules five days before the race. How can they do that?" asked the 30-year-old. The penalty cost him the biggest pot won by a jockey riding in the UK.

Where does the money go? Retirement fund for horses that aren't whipped anymore?

absolutely ridiculous rule. one minute a jock gets days for not prevailing, the next it's too much prevailing.
and the fine is obscene. absolutely ridiculous!

just wait til someone gets killed because a horse is out of control and have already used their 7 strokes.

Well, I think he will be glad he came over to Woodbine. I believe his winning ride in the Canadian International made up for that loss. I'm sure he is done riding in Britain unless the rules are changed.

I'm starting to think that Desormeaux should move his tack there. He certainly wouldn't have to worry about any of those silly fines.

He may not speak much but Ryan Moore makes so much sense here:

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...-rules/934498/

I still can't believe how stupid the sport has been made to look because of this - Its truly embarrassing..

BHA softens whip stance: http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...-rules/935191/