Suspensions will be doubled for breaches in major races, including all Class 1 and Class 2 contests Leading racing figures had called for the changes to be postponed until after the Cheltenham Festival but they came into force this week with BHA chief executive Julie Harrington claiming the sport would look better on the TV news under the new rules.

Ryan Moore or Kieren Fallon, by contrast, might apply themselves to the task with real venom. Having felt the best that Crowley could do, though, I would be happy to let them try. Similar rules will be introduced in Flat racing on 27 February, with penalties starting from 27 March. For safety, it can be used to get a horse's attention, keep it in a straight line or steer away from danger.https://www.espn.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/30011569/more-restrictive-use-whip-california-horse-racing-taking-effect BHA chairman Joe Saumarez Smith added that the BHA previously endorsed the “clear set of objectives set out by the whip consultation steering group in the summer”. United Kingdom: The U.K. allows7 whip strikes in a flat race and 8 strikes during obstacle racing. When strikes are above the number, race stewards can still use their discretion whether a breach has been committed.

Final proposals approved by the BHA Board following extensive technical discussions with those most affected Despite criticism, the BHA ultimately hopes the new rules remove the whip as a subject of debate, particularly at big meetings, such as Cheltenham and Aintree's Grand National Festival in April, which it sees as a "shop window" for the sport that reaches beyond its core audience. The report features 20 recommendations regarding rules, guidelines, penalties and procedures related to the use of the whip, including:Julie Harrington, the BHA's chief executive, told an international racing industry conference in Australia this year that "we know the final stages of the (Cheltenham) Gold Cup will be shown on news programmes and that means this is an opportunity to make the sport look better." Potential offences are now referred to a Whip Review Committee rather than being dealt with by racecourse stewards on the day. Racing insiders point to research that shows modern air-cushioned whips do not hurt horses, although concede there is a perception issue over their use.