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Bring in new whip rules under cloak and dagger, with next to no consultation on the run up to Champions Day.
This is nonsense. Read the statement by the PJA when the original rules came out. They state that there was full consultation throughout.
A very sensible set of minor adjustments to the new rules which as the BHA have shown today are already beginning to work – so praise to the Jockeys as well.
But, well done to the BHA who once again have shown themselves to be leaders in Responsible Regulation.
(Not that cnut Roy tho)
Well, as Roy is the leader who did you have in mind for your congratulations?
How is it possible for anyone have confidence in the BHA to lead the sport? They have made complete mess of the whole thing and it’s amazing no one has resigned.
Not forgetting to mention the jockeys and their association.
Its still a draconian system that could see a jock banned for a whole month for four separate, minor taps down the shoulder in moments of forgetfulness.
Is the jock meant to be trying to win, or learning his/her 1x table?
If they were to make the ‘carry over’ period for totting up around two weeks then it would probably be doable. Or even to say that the ban is doubled if you do the same thing before your previous ban comes into effect? After that, it resets to 2 days again.I’m sorry but thats ridiculous. They’ll just keep on breaking the rules. If they can’t learn by the fourth time they need help.
Kevin Darley
has just stated that although these changes are a step in the right direction, the rules and penalties are still too strict. "Ongoing dialogue" will continue.
How anyone, including his members, can listen to anything he says defies believe.
THE BHA are to make an annoucement this afternoon over the whip issue.
Rumours are Number of whip strikes to remain same but less severe punishments. Stewards will be allowed more discretion.
He ran quite well over 5f ( all his wins have been over 6f except one over 7f) at Yarmouth last time. Finished clear of those on the nearside to run on well to finish 3rd. Has really good form at Southwell, seven of his ten wins have been there. His last six form figures read 900963 yet at Southwell his last six are 162112. He has also come down a few pounds since his last handicap win at Southwell.
On the actual question asked, it hasn’t diminished my enjoyment of racing at all. The other day I watched a ‘hands and heels’ race which I found very pleasant to watch.
.. to which I’ll happily now add –
Spanish
! None of this Brave New World stuff there, either. Just good modern racing with the full range of horse types, jockey skills and satisfied punters.
I’m not sure Spain is a goood example to give. I’m not suprised that the Spanish don’t mind seeing a horse hit with a whip without any control as they are quite prepared to support extreme barbarism and cruelty to bulls for sheer entertainment.
Do you really have to make nasty, crude remarks about Spanish "barbarity"? I don’t suppose you have any evidence that the Madrid racegoers "support" bullfighting (which takes place at the same hours on Sundays, by the way at the other end of the city) have you? And there are rules against
real
misuse of the whip in Spain as in all civilised countries.
Not that I suppose you knew anything about that either… posts like this one of yours make me blush for our quaintly insular "Little Britishness".
I certainly am not ‘Little Britainish’. I am merely making the point that I doubt very much the use of the whip on horses is likely to cause too much concern in a country where a sizeable proportion (although diminishing it seems) of the population support bull fighting.
.. to which I’ll happily now add –
Spanish
! None of this Brave New World stuff there, either. Just good modern racing with the full range of horse types, jockey skills and satisfied punters.
I’m not sure Spain is a goood example to give. I’m not suprised that the Spanish don’t mind seeing a horse hit with a whip without any control as they are quite prepared to support extreme barbarism and cruelty to bulls for sheer entertainment.
There are a couple of people I would name. In the mid eighties I fancied myself as a racing journalist. Had a go at producing my own publication. I was a nobody ( still am) working as a postman in Bristol. Wanting to get into the racing scene I wrote to local trainer Richard Holder. I explained the situation and what I was trying to do. He replied and invited me to his stables one sunday morning and spent an hour of his very valuable time taking me round and talking about his horses so I could do an article. I sent a copy of the completed publication to Brough Scott for his views. He sent me a lovely letter back praising it and advised me to write to Timeform and the Sporting Life and told me to use his name. He also said that if i saw him at the races to introduce myself and I did so at Epsom. Gentlemen both.
I don’t have sky but watch ATR online as well. Watched a lot of American racing on there. Very good value for 5.99. Even if you don’t want it all the time it would be worth paying it just for Breeders Cup night. Sometimes as well they do discounts like in Royal Ascot week where you could subscribe for the month for £2.99.
Tweeted by Timeform today:
Perspective entries will still be available but as part of our Race Pass service > http://bit.ly/fKBkO1
Whilst their may be arguments against some of the proposals, I don’t think saying that a horse who won it and another who came second around 40 years ago wouldn’t now be allowed in is a logical one.
Two
Recommendations
which I’m interested to hear opinions about:
23.
On the basis of the data reviewed, the Review Group did not believe that six year olds have made any meaningful contribution to the race in recent years. Therefore, it is recommended that the minimum age for a horse to be eligible to run in the Grand National be increased to seven years old.
24.
All runners in the Grand National from 2012 must have won or been placed second, third or fourth in a Steeplechase under the Rules of a Recognised Turf Authority of at least three miles during their career.
The last time a 6yo won the race was Ally Sloper in 1915, so that doesn’t look a very significant change – although the "evidence" that the few 6yo’s who do run suffer more injuries than older horses was far from robust.
24.
is more controversial. It would, according to the Review, have ruled out winners such as
Gay Trip
.
[And what about
Crisp
, am I correct about him not having fulfilled that condition before the 1973 race? He was only 5th in the 1972 Cheltenham Gold Cup.] Once again, the evidence that 2-milers suffer higher attrition rates in the race than the stamina horses didn’t seem to me convincing.
I’m not worried about 6yo’s not being in. The second point could be more contentious. If a horse finshed 4th in a four horse race would it qualify ? while a horse finishing 5th in a 15 runner wouldn’t. I think the principal is good though.