WHILE he supports the Jamaica Racing Commission’s (JRC) initiative to review the excessive use of the whip rule, United Racehorse Trainers Association of Jamaica (URTAJ) President Patrick Smellie says further consultation is required and that trainers should be included in the discussion before the new rule is implemented.

The use of the whip in horse racing has been a controversial topic globally and is one of the main reasons some take issue with the sport.

The JRC is now reviewing the existing rule on excessive use of whips and is also close to adding a new rule of racing that will limit the use of whips per race.

Article 138 (5) of the Racing Rules regarding the use of the whip by jockeys reads, “Any jockey or apprentice whom the stewards consider has been guilty of excessive use of the whip in a race shall be liable to be punished by the stewards by the suspension of his permit for such period not exceeding twenty-five successive race days, by such fine not exceeding $10,000, or to deprive him of his whip when riding in a number of races not exceeding his next 10 successive riding, or by all or any combination of the foregoing. The hitting of horses other than down the shoulders or on the hind quarters shall, except in very exceptional circumstances, be considered to constitute excessive use of the whip. The hitting of horses with unreasonable force or/frequency shall also be considered to constitute excessive use of the whip. The use of the whip on a horse prior to or during a parade or after finishing the race, except where it is necessary to control a visibly fractious or unruly horse, shall also be considered excessive use of the whip.”

Article 138 (5) deals with excessive use of the whip but does not mention how often a jockey can use the whip in a race. After consultations with the riders the proposed new rule will limit the jockeys to six overhand strikes of the whip in the straight in any one race.

This rule change will bring local racing in line with what is considered international standards, specifically aimed at protecting the health of horses.

“The excessive use of the whip is something that we need to look into,” Smellie told the Jamaica Observer. “The numbers that I have heard being proposed about six strikes — I don’t know if we can put down the numbers to that as there has to be a wider consultation with the trainers.

“If a jockey doesn’t ride the horse or it is seemingly hit with enough of the whip by the trainer, the trainer will get upset with the jockey so there are a few things that need more consultation. We have to be looking at at least three strikes per furlong, from three furlongs out. I am not saying that is what the amount should be but the jockeys need to have a new way that is within that limit.”

Ruja Lahoe was the first jockey to be sanctioned by JRC while the whip regulation is being reviewed. The JRC fined him $8,000 on December 23 for excessive use of the whip on Inspired Miracle in the day’s fifth race.

Inspired Miracle finished second by a length and a half behind winner Fault Line over one mile (1,600m) in the $860,000 East Queen Street OTB Trophy, a three-year-old and upward Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) event.

“That is excessive,” Smellie said. “That is going to vary from trainer to trainer because some trainers are going to say that it is justified because the horse doesn’t want to go but when you look at the number of strikes, that may be excessive. And again, it depends on how hard the jockey strikes the horse. There must be more consultation, and the trainers must be involved in it.”