The horse racing world is embroiled in controversy following the resignation of Richard Hughes the jockey following two penalties that he had received for excessive use of the whip.
The new rules state that in a flat race the maximum number of times a horse can be whipped is 7, and that the maximum in the final furlong is 5 times. The limit in jump racing is 8 times. Richard Hughes had used the whip 6 times in the final furlong.
The jockeys are unhappy with the new rules and are threatening to strike. It seems that they have the support from most of the horse racing fraternity; owners, trainers and bookmakers are on the side of the jockeys. They argue that the penalties handed out to the jockeys are disproportional and that the new rules take away much of the thrill of the race.
None of us wish to see animals being treated cruelly, but is the use of the whip as barbaric as its antagonists would have us believe? If horses really suffered then would they not be put off from racing and certainly put off from giving their all? With so much adrenaline pumping through a horse’s blood stream in the final stages of a race would the horse be particularly sensitive to pain?
On the other hand there are many top figures in horse racing who are strongly opposed to the use of the whip. Outspoken opponents include Sir Peter O’Sullevanthe commentator, Charlie Brooks the trainer, and the top jockey John Francome. They consider the whip to be cruel and to detract from true horsemanship.
Modern whips are padded and are much less likely to injure a horse than the old fashioned leather riding crops which could cause cuts and bruises, but then the sight of any jockey pushing a horse past its limits by frantic whipping is a sickening sight.
Perhaps in the end the British Racing Authority has got things just about right in terms of limiting the amount of whipping that is permitted, but a little wrong in is over-zealous penalties; and perhaps monetary fines might be more appropriate than outright bans, particularly for small transgressions such as Richard Hughes’ single extra tap.
Should this be banned from horse racing?