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I know we have had the debate oftentimes on here but I’ve tried to articulate my views on the whip….again. Bit long for a post so here is link to it.
Feel free to smash into it.
The whip brings a negative image to the sport. Yes, we the educated know that modern whips barely trouble a horse but the uneducated public don’t see it that way.
Ban the whip, or racing will not survive.
Banning the whip would be a huge victory for those uneducated people and will give them great impetus along the road to their ultimate goal….having the sport banned full stop.
Don’t think that these people have any wish to even understand the sport as the vast majority already come to the table with a preconceived idea that it is inherently cruel to the horse and have no wish to be open to the fact that their viewpoint is wrong.
A firm line in the sand needs to be drawn and defended by the BHA – yes by all means do your investigations into welfare/safety when issues arise but don’t make changes for appeasement sake as that course of action has never worked in any form and is a road that will not lead to anything good for horse racing.
Time for the BHA to put their big boy pants on and actually protect this sport before it is either changed beyond all recognition or gone altogether.
I agree with you about the breeding. Lazy articles that have to be cajoled to win are more temperamentally unsound as racehorses than game horses who would happily do their utmost to win under hands and heels. I don’t think the ultra free going crazed nutters would win any more often after a whip ban as they’d still burn out but the naturally game would.
LD, hope you don’t mind me taking your answer, i couldn’t agree more.
Banning the whip would be a huge victory for those uneducated people and will give them great impetus along the road to their ultimate goal….having the sport banned full stop.
Don’t think that these people have any wish to even understand the sport as the vast majority already come to the table with a preconceived idea that it is inherently cruel to the horse and have no wish to be open to the fact that their viewpoint is wrong.
A firm line in the sand needs to be drawn and defended by the BHA – yes by all means do your investigations into welfare/safety when issues arise but don’t make changes for appeasement sake as that course of action has never worked in any form and is a road that will not lead to anything good for horse racing.
Time for the BHA to put their big boy pants on and actually protect this sport before it is either changed beyond all recognition or gone altogether.
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!Excellent article Cormack. I have no welfare worries about whip use myself and my concerns are based on public perception, though I have also long thought that if the most enthusiastic horses (i.e. those who don’t NEED the whip) were permitted to flourish, it would ultimately improve the breed. Agree with Francombe’s comments about horsemanship too. Also interesting about the correlation between whip use and fallers and I think this is something that requires further research.
It is an error to confuse “uneducated people” with “anti-horse racing campaigners” (though, of course, the latter would fall into into that category). The wider public are largely ignorant about most aspects of the sport (and horse welfare generally) but still enjoy a bet, a day at the races etc. You do what you can to “educate” but they are mainly not interested – and why should they be? Ultimately the opinions of such people matter far more than the antis. It is clear that most are disturbed by seeing a horse being whipped and it turns many off the sport. The view that racing shouldn’t “pander” to the views of non-racing people is no longer viable in the modern world. We have failed to convince the general population that whip use is humane, despite repeated initiatives, and our sport is now under threat from those with extreme views. We need to widen support.
Which repeated initiatives has the sport done to educate people about the current whip?
Great read Cormack. This is a very complicated issue, like all issues there are always 2 sides to a story and everyone will have an opinion.
For me personally if the whip was allowed to stay then the penalties for exceeding the rules should be a lot harder, ban those jockeys a minimum 2 weeks and reduce the amount of times from 8 to 5 for the jumps and 7 to 4 for the flat.All comers, all ground, all beaten
from 8 to 5 for the jumps and 7 to 4 for the flat.
What difference will that make?
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!If the whip was not called a whip there would be no problem.
If the encourager were got rid of racing would not be recognisable.
In flat racing temperament and pace become all important. National Hunt Racing will NOT EXIST at all.Horse 20 lengths clear in the last furlong hears the crowd and stops, refusing to go any further.
Massive number of horses currently don’t like leading and need holding up for a late challenge. They become impossible to win with without the whip. Jockeys unable to encourage their mounts to do that little bit extra – to actually put their nose in front.
Vast majority of races won by prominent racers – because horses will not make as much ground up without the whip.
…And I wish people would think this thing through.
A small cushioned object which is totally safe and doesn’t harm the horse when used within current rules is banned… So WHAT THE F… CAN BE THE JUSTIFICATION OF FORCING HORSES TO JUMP BIG, HARD OBSTACLES WHICH ACTUALLY DO OFTEN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH???!!!
Sorry to say this, but anyone wanting the “encourager” banned for animal welfare or aesthetic reasons is a hypocrate – unless they are also FOR BANNING JUMP RACING.
Value Is EverythingGood post ginge
The whip would just be a starter
when did the whip ever kill anyone
fences and hurdles would follow suit
if the whip wentmy only gripe with the whip is when it is overused deliberately because winning the race is more important than the poxy ban, a review should take place straight away and if the they believe the whip made the difference then a DQ should take place. Not fair on the connections who keep to the rules, the way it happens at the moment.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I agree Nathan.
When a horse only wins through breaking the rules of racing – just as interference rules – it should be demoted or disqualified. ie If a jockey breaks the rules but has not improved its position the jockey should be fined and jockey’s winnings witheld, but the horse is allowed to keep the race/position. Punters paid out as per usual.
However, when a jockey has infringed whip rules stewards should consider if there is a good chance the horse’s position was improved (imo should not need to be certain or probable, just a “good chance” is enough) the horse should be demoted to the position they feel it would’ve achieved without infringement. Punters only paid out for the demoted place…
If the offence breaks the rules by a significant margin or the jockey is a particularly frequent offender (judged not on a strict number but instead on percentage of offences (number of offences per number of winners)) the horse is not just demoted but disqualified. Currently I believe punishments are calculated on number of offences which is unfair on jockeys with a greater number of winners. It is unfortunate, but I believe in these circumstances punters would accept disqualification.
In all cases where a horse improves its finishing position all (not just the jockey’s) connections winnings should be witheld and given instead to racehorse rehabilitation charities. They do not get prize money even from the demoted position.
Value Is EverythingIf the offence breaks the rules by a significant margin or the jockey is a particularly frequent offender (judged not on a strict number but instead on percentage of offences (number per ride)) the horse is not just demoted but disqualified.
What about frequent offending ie trainers and owners of horse(s) in question.?
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Banning this conversation is more important than banning the whip
Its not even a conversation or a discussion, if your for banning the whip, your against both flat and jumps racing
Who cares what perception is, whoever said fences etc wouldnt be far behind is spot on, you give these people 1 inch and ban one single item theyll take a furlong and all of the fences, dont be stupid by humoring this nonsene the BHA need to simply stand up to it.
The funny thing is, i often listen to talksport or watch SSN, i keep upto date with most sports on a day to basis and the only time i really hear this come up is with racing fans ….. who are “fans” of the sport or work within the sport
Doesnt help when the editor of the sports biggest news outlet supports it, he should in turn, lose his position. The damage someone in that position can do is tremendous, they must be non biased in such a role. The ammunition it gives the activists is too much, If the majority of jockeys tell you they are better with it, some idiot at a desk cannot show better judgement on the matter, but because of his position, he will in turn be viewed as if he as much knowledge on the matter as the jockey. You simply cannot voice such a stern opinion one day, then go and cheer on a victory from your favourite jumps horse the next, its beyond hypocritical.
The entire thing is plain stupid from start to finish, if your in agreement for banning the whip, what you would be better doing is spending your time getting the grand national to end, that is ultimately the biggest cause for negativity the sport has and racing would survive just fine without it (the bookmakers will feel the pinch of course). It would divert most of the activists as the majority are once a year fanatics. Not to mention as much as i love the race, its a farcry from what it was, i could happily live without it if people would shutup moaning about it and the sun wouldnt post there yearly death toll.
But even at that id probably still just tell them to F off instead.
To summarise my point,if your against the whip, you should probably find another game, this aint it for you lads. The virtuals are quite realistic i hear?? Try that..
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