06-10-2011
THE BHA REVIEW ON USE OF THE WHIP COMES INTO EFFECT ON MONDAY NEXT 10TH OCTOBER!
- 5 hits in the final furlong/after the last obstacle are the maximum number of hits that are acceptable.
- 7 hits (flat) 8 hits (jump) in the whole race are the maximum number of hits that are acceptable.
- Excessive frequency – minimum suspension of 5 days for 1 hit over the permitted maximum and a further 2 days for every hit thereafter.
- Penalties for other breaches of Schedule (B)6 part 2 have been increased.
- Repeat offences will result in at least a doubling of the suspension.
- Group 1 and Grade 1 exemptions will not apply to whip offences.
- Every time a rider’s whip makes contact with his horse with his whip hand off the reins will be considered as a hit regardless of how, where or with what force the whip is used.
- Any offence which warrants a suspension of more than 20 days before previous offences are taken into account will be referred.
- Any offence which warrants a suspension of 42 days having taken previous offences into account will be referred.
- Penalties imposed by the Disciplinary Panel have been increased considerably.
The full BHA review of the use of the whip can be viewed by this link: http://www.britishhorseracing.com/whip-review/WhipReview.pdf
12-09-2011
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced it will share the benefits of the income it generates from amateur jockeys riding against professionals with the Amateur Jockeys Association for the very first time. Whilst the BHA already supports amateur jockeys through a contribution towards the provision of insurance and funds industry training and on-course physiotherapists – totalling in excess of £450,000 over the past four years – a major proportion of future prize money and riding fees earned by amateur jockeys will now be shared with the AJA.
In addition, the outstanding achievements of Sam Waley-Cohen in becoming the first amateur jockey in 30 years to win the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and finishing second in the John Smith’s Grand National in 2011, have enabled the BHA to provide a further £30,000 grant to be divided between the AJA, the Pony Racing Authority (PRA) and to Sam’s newly-founded charity, the Thomas Andrew Waley-Cohen (TAWC) Fund, which is aimed at providing financial support for charitable initiatives across the country.
£20,000 of this grant has been allocated to the AJA towards funding for a small number of valuable Jump races for amateur riders, which will be planned in consultation with BHA Racing Department and the racecourses concerned, with the hope of building a stronger platform from which amateur jockeys can launch their riding careers.
Sam said: “I am delighted that the BHA has revised the current system so that in future a percentage of amateurs’ prize money from wins against professionals will be awarded to the Amateur Jockeys Association. This will undoubtedly benefit all amateur riders, and represents a significant step forward for the sport. It is also rewarding for me personally that the memorable season I was fortunate enough to enjoy in 2010/11 will benefit the AJA, PRA and my own charity, the TAWC Fund. I am excited to see what developments can arise as a result of these grants, including the prospect of additional races for amateurs, and it gives me great pleasure to be able to put something back into a sport which has given me so much, and perhaps in doing so help all amateur jockeys to continue their fine contribution to the sport.“
Sarah Oliver, Chief Executive of the AJA, said: “Following the recent hugely successful partnerships of Sam Waley-Cohen with Long Run and Oscar Time, the AJA are delighted that agreement has been reached with the BHA so that amateur jockeys will benefit from future winning rides against professionals. Not only will a fund from Sam Waley-Cohen’s wins last season finance additional amateur races, future amateur jockeys’ winning ride percentage prize money against professionals will also be included. The AJA acknowledges the significant contribution made by all amateur jockeys who has won against professionals in the past.”
25-11-2009
Thanks to a request from the AJA, we are delighted to report that the BHA have very kindly agreed to increase the current Category B course funding of 26 places per year to 36 places per year (to be completed at either the British Racing School (Newmarket) or The Northern Racing College (Doncaster)) as from 2010.
This is really welcome news to all aspiring Cat A amateur jockeys with an eye to progressing their riding careers and we are most grateful to the British Horseracing Authority and to both racing colleges for all of their help and support.
16-10-2009
The BHA has announced the introduction of a new whip for jockeys but the good news for amateurs is that they are exempt from this change.
The modified whip, which will include a microchip to allow research into the whip’s cushioning longevity, will be made available to British professional jockeys over the next few months, firstly on the Flat. Modifications have also been made to the grip.
The BHA policy on whip use can be found at: http://www.britishhorseracing.com/inside_horseracing/about/whatwedo/disciplinary/20080807whipuse.pdf
