‘Destroying the game’ – racing in meltdown as 19 jockeys banned for 134 days simply weeks earlier than Cheltenham Competition

RACING chiefs had been accused of ‘destroying the game’ after the size of the carnage from the primary week of the brand new whip guidelines was revealed.

In whole, 19 particular person jockeys racked up a mixed 134 days in bans – and Charlotte Jones grew to become the primary rider ever to be disqualified for going over the whip restrict.

2 In whole, 19 jockeys have been banned following the primary week of recent whip guidelines Credit score: PA:Press Affiliation

2 Charlotte Jones grew to become the primary jockey ever to be disqualified for a whip breach Credit score: Getty

The figures have prompted shock within the racing business and a level of panic within the weighing room with the Cheltenham Competition simply three weeks’ away.

Whip suspensions are determined every Tuesday by the BHA’s whip assessment committee.

Consequently, the entire jockeys will begin their bans on the identical date of March 7 – that means that their might be 17 skilled jockeys out of motion till at the very least March 11.

Any jockeys who fall foul of the foundations in week two, which covers the interval February 20-26, will miss the Competition.

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Among the many huge names to seek out themselves in scorching water after week one are Aidan Coleman and Gavin Sheehan – although each will be capable to experience on the Cheltenham Competition having picked up four-day suspensions.

However Jones, 28, has been banned for 2 weeks and must spend a day on the British Racing College to bear additional coaching after making a slice of undesirable historical past.

She used the whip 11 instances aboard the runner-up Lunar Discovery at Ayr on February 14, that means the horse grew to become the primary ever to be disqualified for a whip breach.

Racing followers and professionals reacted with horror on the findings, which covers the interval of February 13-19.

One mentioned: “God assist us. That’s all I say. At this fee, we’ll haven’t any jockeys out there to experience”

One other tweeted: “You’re destroying the game.”

Whereas one other added: “You lot (BHA) are an absolute laughing inventory. Not one other sport on the earth would this occur and there may be lots worse than horse racing.”

Brant Dunshea, the chief regulatory officer on the BHA, defended the variety of bans dished out and mentioned the onus was on the jockeys to experience throughout the guidelines.

He mentioned: “Jockeys have had greater than 4 weeks to adapt to the brand new guidelines by means of the bedding-in interval.

“Because the jockeys themselves have acknowledged, it’s now as much as them to make sure that they experience throughout the new guidelines.

“Disqualification has been launched as the final word deterrent for overuse of the whip. There may be merely no excuse for utilizing the whip 4 or extra instances above the permitted stage.

“It was all the time seemingly that the disqualification rule would must be invoked within the early levels of the implementation of the brand new guidelines. We hope that this sends a transparent message to all jockeys and reinforces this deterrent impact.”

High jockey Lorcan Williams was the toughest hit after choosing up a whopping 18-day ban for his successful experience aboard Makin’yourmindup within the Grade 2 Status Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

He went two strokes over the restrict and was deemed to make use of the whip above shoulder top – and he’ll now have to take a seat out the Cheltenham Competition.

Williams mentioned: “I am completely devastated to be lacking the 4 greatest days of the yr.

“I will not be the one one however I am completely heartbroken.”

Kevin Brogan, who rode the runner-up, additionally went over the seven-stroke restrict and was banned for eight days.

Dunshea added: “The whip has been used not solely above the permitted stage, but in addition from above shoulder top on a number of events. It is a breach of the foundations in most racing jurisdictions.

“Lorcan was suggested on quite a few events all through the bedding in interval of rides that may quantity to a breach of the brand new Guidelines ought to he continued to experience in the identical method.

“The Evaluate Committee have included a compulsory session with the British Racing College as a part of his penalty. That is a part of the aim of the Committee, to result in enhancements in using requirements.”

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