Australia Alters Whip Rules

Racing Australia has altered its whip rules, with the changes including a limit to strikes before the 100 meter mark of a race and stronger penalties for those who breach the rules. The rules, which will come into affect Dec. 1, “remove the distinction between forehand and backhand whip strikes so that there is

a limit of five forehand or backhand whip strikes prior to the 100 meters” and “introduce stronger penalties for whip offences including greater emphasis on

suspensions for serious breaches and for breaches in group and listed races.

A Careless Riding Penalty Template will be developed to ensure consistency across jurisdictions, and training programs for apprentice jockeys will also be a focus.

“The changes to the whip rules in 2009 introduced limits on the number and manner of whip strikes, which in conjunction with a padded whip has ensured the welfare of the horse,” said Racing Australia Chairman John Messara. “However, too great a reliance on the backhand application of the whip has developed in response to the limits imposed on the forehand application. After careful consideration, we have decided that backhand strikes should be

treated in the same way as forehand strikes so as to leave no room for misinterpretation of the rules against excessive use. Importantly, harsher penalties for breaches of the rule will be imposed in a consistent and uniform manner across Australia.”