What are the new whip rules in horse racing, do they affect Cheltenham Festival, how long are the bans? | The Sun

NEW whip rules have driven a stake through the heart of the sport.

There have been U-turns and chaos with Cheltenham Festival bans already imposed.

Here, Sun Racing explains exactly what the new rules are – and the penalties for breaking them.

What are the new whip rules?

The new whip rules were published by the BHA in mid-July following a lengthy review and consultation period.

Originally the biggest change was that the whip had to be used in the backhand position.

But this was scrapped by bosses after a wave of opposition from jockeys.

Now the biggest factors are the number of times a whip is used – and the force with which it is used.

The maximum number of times a whip can be used in a jumps race is seven times.

The maximum number of times a whip can be used in a Flat race is six times.

• Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Latest tips, betting offers, sign-ups and news
• Cheltenham Festival FREE BETS and sign-up deals 2023: Best new customer and betting offers on the market
• Is Constitution Hill the greatest horse ever? Megastar going for glory at Cheltenham

Any more than this and the stewards will review the ride and, if necessary, issue a penalty (explained below).

The whip review committee will also look at how the whip was used.

Specifically, they will look at whether it was used from above shoulder height, whether the horse has been given time to respond, the purpose for which the whip was used, whether the horse was in contention or clearly winning at the time it was used, and whether the whip has been used in the correct place (i.e. on the horse’s hindquarter rather than flanks).

When do the new rules begin?

The new whip rules are already in full effect over jumps.

Lorcan Williams has proved the biggest victim of them so far – his 18-day ban ruling him out of Cheltenham Festival.

Most read in Horse Racing

OFFERS OF THE DAY

Bet UK: Bet £20 and get £60 in free bets – CLAIM HERE

Sky Bet: 40/1 Constitution Hill to win the Champion Hurdle –CLAIM HERE

Tote: Bet £10 get £40 – CLAIM HERE

William Hill: 60/1 Facile Vega to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle – CLAIM HERE

Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE

Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE

Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE

Bet UK: New customers opt in and stake £20+ on any sporting event at odds of 1.8 or greater before 17:30 17/03/23. Free bets non-withdrawable and 7 day expiry. Qualifying bet restrictions, exclusions and full T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org.

Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. £10 minimum stake. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 4 x £10 horse racing bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets for horse racing only. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.Org. 18+ begambleaware.Org

Tote: New customers, online only. Place your first bet on racing pools, minimum £/€10, to receive £/€40 Tote Credit. £/€20 redeemable against win/place racing bets only and £/€20 redeemable against exotics bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet slip. Full T&Cs and exclusions apply. 18+. BeGambleaware.org.

William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org

Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org

Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org

Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org

In Flat racing, a bedding-in period will begin on February 27.

The full implementation on the Flat will start on March 27.

What are the penalties for breaking the new rules?

The threshold for acceptable use of the whip will remain at seven in a Flat race and eight in National Hunt racing.

However, there will be increased penalties for offences (ie going over the limit), including doubled suspensions in major races.

Currently, if a jockey goes one strike over the limit they are banned for four days.

If they go two over the limit they are banned for seven days.

Any jockey who uses the whip four times or more over the permitted level in ANY race will be disqualified.

If a rider is found to have committed an offence in a Class 1 or 2 race any suspension shall be double that recommended in the guidance.

If a professional rider is suspended for seven days or more they may also be fined a sum between £200 and £10,000 (£100 and £5,000 in the case of an apprentice) depending upon the type and value of the race, the rider’s finishing position and the length of the suspension imposed.

It's important to remember this will affect trainers and owners too – and would more than likely lead to a redistribution of prize money retrospectively.

What have those in the sport said?

Aidan O'Brien told Matt Chapman the new rules could be 'the beginning of the end for English racing'.

In a stark warning to the sport's governing bodies, he said he is not aware of any jockeys who think the new rules are a good idea.

Read More on The Sun

Dumped Love Islanders mobbed by fans as they land in UK after missing final

I took my fluffy doodle to groomers – but he came back looking like Pennywise

Sun Racing told you jockeys are considering strike action as civil war in the sport emerges over the new guidelines.

Paul Nicholls' No1 jockey Harry Cobden described the new rules as 'bloody ridiculous'.

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Source: Read Full Article