Leading jockeys have given a mixed response to the amended new whip regulations announced today by the British Horseracing Authority.
Among the changes - which came into immediate effect - are the removal of the five-hit rule inside the final furlong/after the last obstacle, and riders will now not lose their riding fee if suspended for a whip offence.
They will also only lose their percentage of prize-money if their offence earns a ban of seven days or more, rather than the three days the rules originally stated, but dissatisfaction remains among riders at the strength of penalties for minor breaches of the rules, and former champion Jamie Spencer voiced his displeasure with the Professional Jockeys Association.
Spencer told At The Races: "I think history is repeating itself like on every other issue, we're weak with no strength behind us and everybody waves the flag too easy. I'm disappointed with a lot of the guys that have taken it all lying down.
"French jockeys stick together, the Australians stuck together over the whip and this is why we're probably racing for peanuts everyday of the week. We never put a fight up for anything, we take everything lying down. I'm just disappointed with everybody. Nobody is bothered about the seven strikes, it's just the penalties, they don't add up."
Current title holder Paul Hanagan hopes there is still room for manoeuvre over penalties.
He said: "I was made up they did away with the five hits inside the final furlong and gave us our riding fee back, but I still think the severity of a five-day ban is too much. That's coming from me, and I very rarely get banned, I've had to adapt to the rules over the years but there are some lads not in the position I'm in getting five or 10 days, it could finish some lads.
"They are only trying to make a living. It is hard enough as it is. Some of them wouldn't be making a living, it will be costing them to come racing. I think there could be further problems if they don't get the five days down. A lot of lads are saying we need more than seven (hits) but I can put up with seven - as long as the days come down. It will be even harder for the lads over jumps."
Steve Drowne believes there remains a possibility of strike action.
He said: "No-one's happy about the new rules, but it depends upon the grade of unhappiness. We'll have a meeting and judge the mood. There are always going to be conflicting opinions and if lads don't feel strongly about it, then they shouldn't strike. If they do (feel strongly), then we could."
Posts
