AMENDMENT OF THE USE OF THE WHIP: DISAGREEMENT OF THE FRENCH DRIVERS AND JOCKEYS

As is well known, on Tuesday 1st April the new rules on the use of whips in races will come into force practically all over Europe. These rules are causing a reaction in more than a few cases, not so much about the purpose of the measures, which is obviously appreciated by everyone, but about their application. Yesterday, Sebastien Hardy, the representative of French drivers and jockeys, expressed the professionals’ perplexity about the new rules and asked for some variations to the regulations also in relation to the sanctions:

In an interview published on the Paris Turf website, Hardy said: "After several consultations with drivers and jockeys and on their behalf, I would like to express our dissatisfaction and disagreement with the new rules on the use of the whip. The primary objective of these new rules was to prohibit the use of the whip with momentum. Preventing drivers from raising their hand and wrist above their shoulder was the best solution in our opinion. No longer allowing them to raise their elbow is too categorical. Most drivers agree with this observation. Unlike other European countries, France organises races on all types of tracks and over all distances. However, a horse is not presented in the same way, with the same equipment, in a 1,609 metre race on sand as in a 3,000 metre race on grass. The use of the whip can therefore vary according to these parameters. I am the first to want to sanction a professional who is too brutal with a horse by hitting it with the whip. But when it comes to animal welfare, we shouldn't be naïve. If during the race the whip can no longer be used in the same way, in the morning, during training, it will be different. We all know it. And when two horses are vying for victory, how will the punters react when they see their drivers not moving on their sulkies to best defend their chances? It's never too late to change or amend a rule. If nothing is done, the professionals might consider adopting different measures. ‘Initially, not imposing the sanctions and fines planned for the first two weeks seems the best solution.’