KINGSTON, Jamaica – The regulatory agency of horse racing, the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) is close to adding a new rule of racing that will limit the number of times a jockey can whip a horse in any one race.
At present Rule 138 (5) of the Rules of Racing regarding the use of the whip by jockeys reads as follows:
“Any jockey or apprentice whom the Stewards consider has been guilty of excessive use of the whip in a race shall be liable to be punished by the Stewards by the suspension of his permit for such period not exceeding twenty-five successive race days, by such fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10, 000.00) or to deprive him of his whip when riding in a number of races not exceeding his next ten successive riding or by all or any combination of the foregoing. The hitting of horses other than down the shoulders or on the hind quarters shall, except in very exceptional circumstances, be considered to constitute excessive use of the whip. The hitting of horses with unreasonable force or/frequency shall also be considered to constitute excessive use of the whip. The use of the whip on a horse prior to or during a parade or after finishing the race except where it is necessary to control a visibly fractious or unruly horse shall also be considered excessive use of the whip.”
Rule 138 (5) deals with excessive use of the whip but does not include the number of times a jockey can use the whip in a race.
Quickgallop.com has been told that the proposed new rule will limit riders to six strikes of the whip in the straight in any one race.
This provision of six strikes of the whip is being considered to be a starting point, after which consideration based mainly on feedback and observation, will be given by the regulatory body for any amendment to limit the amount of strikes allotted during the course of an entire race.
This rule change will bring local racing in line with what is considered international standards, specifically aimed at protecting the health of horses.
Stewards of the JRC are currently in consultation mode with stakeholders, especially the jockeys. One such consultative effort was held yesterday (Thursday, October 26) at Caymanas Park with members of the jockeys’ colony led by president Phillip Parchment giving their views.
Special presentations were made at the consultation by jockey Allen Maragh and former many times champion and now a licenced trainer, Winston Griffiths.
11 Responses
eeh now ! spanish town yu mada a beat yu wid the ---- sick ..we all said this in the 60's and 70's when growing up .it meant trouble is brewing.to all whippers beware !!
Thank god meck them go a learn how to balance a horse properly
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i put this subjective question to all race horse fans..who is the best hand rider currently at caymanas park...if there is any ???
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this is a good move hand riding and shuffling is now a lost art.. this will curb the the temtation to resort to the ''maka ''
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The strike rule must be implemented most of these jockeys just stand on the back of the horses and beat the hell out of them without any assistance from the jockeys I saw races where the jockeys knees never touch the horses for the complete race but is being whipped
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to be honest I think a lot of Jamaican riders started using less whipping of the horses...I see a lot of changing holds and shaking of the reigns in the he straight...I would say A Thomas was the best at it and Dawkins,Lewis and T Foster are not whip crazy..R Henry uses very little whip - his riding style would be perfect for the USA.
apart from excessive use of the stick..most of the current crop of riders are tall, their stance in the saddle has to be adjusted to make them more able to push a horse from a low trajectory
shorter jocks dont make better riders but it gives them an advantage..the great lester piggot was 5 feet 8inches tall was an exception.