Whip rules strike threat averted

The BHA has called representatives of the riders to a board meeting to discuss their grievances in the wake of Richard Hughes’s decision to quit after being hit with two bans. Earlier, the PJA submitted proposals that included revisions to the range of penalties for infringements as well as some further clarifications of the rules themselves.

A statement from the PJA tonight said it welcomed the invitation to attend the BHA meeting, and that the association will take the opportunity to develop the points that it raised in written proposals and recommendations submitted to the BHA earlier today concerning the new whip rules. PJA chief executive Kevin Darley said: “We are pleased that the BHA board will meet the representatives of jockeys so that together we can resolve the current issues concerning the whip rules. It is imperative for the sport that these matters are settled as soon as possible.”

The PJA added that it recommended that those jockeys who were independently considering not participating in races at Monday’s racing fixtures should now take their planned rides as originally scheduled.

A statement from the BHA last night read: “The British Horseracing Authority yesterday confirmed that it was listening to jockeys’ concerns about the new whip rules and that it had asked for and would consider any formal submission the Professional Jockeys Association chose to make on this subject.

“We have this afternoon received a short submission from the PJA. The BHA has today invited the PJA to attend a planned Board meeting of the Authority on Monday so that they can elaborate further on the submission they have made before further detailed consideration by the BHA’s Review Group. The PJA has accepted this invitation.

“This dialogue will build on constructive talks we held with the PJA on Tuesday. Throughout the process of amending the rules on use of the whip and associated penalties, the BHA has worked closely with representatives of the PJA and we are encouraged that they recognise our commitment to thorough consultation.

“We will not be suspending the current rules pending these discussions, but we do commit to resolving this matter as quickly as possible while ensuring that due process is followed.”

In a veiled reference to rumours of a strike at the three tracks due to race on Monday, the BHA statement said: “In light of the positive dialogue taking place between the BHA and the PJA, we urge everyone involved in racing to engage with this process and to work with us to take the sport forward with no disruption to the racing programme.”

In light of the impending meeting on Monday, the BHA said it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.

Tom Queally will be in the spotlight today when he takes the ride on this season’s headline horse, Frankel in the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. He said in his blog on www.racinguk.com: “Introducing the new rules this week is rank bad timing and it’s appalling for the sponsors QIPCO, who have invested so much into Flat racing and the British Champions Series.

“All the talk today should have been about the British Champions Day at Ascot, but there hasn’t been a word about it. I feel very sorry for the sponsors. I obviously also feel sorry for Richard Hughes, who I am pretty friendly with and is one of the most respected guys in the weighing room.

“He’s hit his horse six times on the two occasions he’s been done, and he gets a 15-day ban for it. As Martin Dwyer said, it’s like getting 15 years for stealing a loaf of bread. Only hitting the horse five times in the final furlong is where the rule falls down. If it was seven in total, then I think most jockeys could live with that.

“As Richard said yesterday, it’s actually encouraging jockeys to hit the horse twice before the final furlong when, more often than not, they don’t need to. It should be a maximum of seven hits allowed at any time in a race, and the penalties need to be far less draconian.”