• Horce Racing

Towcester launch crackdown on whips

ESPN staff
April 24, 2011
Towcester could become the first British racecourse to ban the use of whips © PA Photos
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Towcester racecourse has announced its plans to ban the use of whips at jumps meetings from October.

If the move is passed by the British Horseracing Authority, jockeys would be allowed to carry the stick, but only use them in line with the 'hands and heels' series regulations. Jockeys can carry whips but only in the back-hand position and may only use them in front of the saddle as a correctional aid.

"We've thought about it for quite a while and we just felt the timing was right to go with this strategy," Towcester general manager Kevin Ackerman told At The Races.

"The groundswell of public opinion seems to be reaching a crescendo that the whip is cruel to horses. We feel going with a no-whip policy hopefully will bring more people into the sport, which will benefit everybody.

"We advocate jockeys carrying the whip, but we don't advocate it being used behind the saddle in any stage of the race. Racing is going through changes and we are viewing it as a case for the BHA to use us a pilot racecourse to test the water on this subject."

The BHA has announced a review of the use of the whip after Jason Maguire was slapped with a five-day suspension for excessive use following his Grand National victory aboard Ballabriggs.

Jump jockey Andrew Thornton said: "It's quite an emotive issue at the moment and I wouldn't be in favour of it (banning the whip). The whip is an aid to encourage a horse to do his best."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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