• Horse Racing

Dettori backs new whip sanctions

ESPN staff
September 27, 2011
Frankie Dettori was banned for nine days after falling foul of the old guidelines © Getty Images
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Frankie Dettori has welcomed the changes to rules governing the use of whips in horse racing.

Following a review by the British Horseracing Authority, the new, tougher sanctions will be introduced on October 10.

The BHA discussed an outright ban on whips but after a review in association with animal welfare bodies, including the RSPCA, it has introduced restrictions as to how many times jockeys can use the whip in a race, as well as handing out harsher penalties for transgressions.

Under the new rules, a whip can be used a maximum of seven times in a flat race and eight times in a jump race. Failure to comply with the guidelines will see jockeys slapped with a fine and a suspension, with penalties increasing for repeat offenders.

Dettori, who was banned for nine days after he hit Rewilding 24 times inside the final two furlongs of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, welcomed the new sanctions.

"I am not proud of having fallen foul of the whip rules in the past but I have never harmed a horse," he said. "These new rules are easy to understand which will help all jockeys ride within them. I accept these new rules are in the best interest of our great sport."

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