Racing: Jockeys warn of backlash

Thursday 04 February 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

RIDERS called yesterday for racing's rulers to hold back from imposing new limits on the use of the whip. But this plea is expected to be ignored when the Jockey Club makes a decision on Monday.

The proposed new maximum of five cracks with the whip had been plucked from the air and was being introduced to appease a small minority of the public, said Michael Caulfield, secretary of the Jockeys' Association.

'However well-intentioned the Jockey Club recommendations may be, they would sound the starting bell for the rapid decline of English racing,' Caulfield said. 'We can still claim to have the most competitive racing in the world, but for how much longer? There is time to talk again, there is no rush.'

Jockeys were represented on the working group which examined the whip guidelines, but their views had been disregarded. Caulfield claimed the group had been unbalanced in its make-up and had cast riders 'in the role of continual offenders'.

The 'giant strides' made by jockeys to alter their riding styles had not been acknowledged and statistics suggesting a considerable rise in whip abuse last year had been mis-interpreted. 'The sole reason for the increase in inquiries and suspensions was that local stewards were asked to be more vigilant in 1992,' Caulfield said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in