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Paul Nicholls: Give the new whip rules a chance

The new whip rules introduced last week have caused debate in the sport but they do offer clarity and could improve skill levels among jockeys, says Paul

I have enough on my plate without getting too involved in the politics of the sport, but the decision has been made about the new whip rules and professionals in the sport have to give them a chance.

And I was happy to put my name behind them in the BHA press release last week, along with Sir Henry Cecil, Frankie Dettori and AP.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't want to be riding these days and personally I was happy enough with the old rules. And having spoken to AP and Ruby about this at length this week, I can see both sides of the argument and the worries that some jockeys have.

There are new tough rules out there, and harsh penalties for those who transgress them, and they will take some adapting to.

But no-one can be in any doubt where they stand now - it is there in black and white - and we have to give the new rules a chance. And it could end up being for the betterment of the sport as a whole, not simply the perception, and that has to be good for everybody.

For example, it may improve the standard of jockeyship, and make jockeys strive to better themselves. Because the stronger and more accomplished riders will find it easier to adapt and cope.

I would have had no chance!

And the whip is not always the answer - and that was brought home to me with Big Buck's win in the World Hurdle. You would have thought he would be the last horse on whom you would want to lose your stick on, as Ruby did.

But win he did. Jockeyship, allied to the horse, won the day.

One offshoot of the whip rules is that I think you will see more of the lazier types wearing blinkers and cheekpieces, but let's see how everything pans out and go from there. And if tweaking is needed, then so be it and I hope there is some flexibility if needed.

But one thing I wasn't impressed with this week was Towcester racecourse, and their continued PR stunt about wanting to stage whipless and hands and heels races - and I am certainly not alone on that score.

Firm ground is obviously far damaging to horses than a few smacks with an air-cushioned whip and Towcester would be better served concentrating on providing safe ground and running a racecourse, as opposed to a PR agency.

It was good to see the BHA, and many trainers and jockeys, stand up to them.

Paul Nicholls / 7 Oct 2011

Paul Nicholls: Give the new whip rules a chance

The Industry View RSS / / 07 October 2011 / 1

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Paul was one of the sport's big names to back the new whip rules

Paul was one of the sport's big names to back the new whip rules

"New whip rules may improve the standard of jockeyship, and make jockeys strive to better themselves. Because the stronger and more accomplished riders will find it easier to adapt and cope. I would have had no chance!"

The new whip rules introduced last week have caused debate in the sport but they do offer clarity and could improve skill levels among jockeys, says Paul

I have enough on my plate without getting too involved in the politics of the sport, but the decision has been made about the new whip rules and professionals in the sport have to give them a chance.

And I was happy to put my name behind them in the BHA press release last week, along with Sir Henry Cecil, Frankie Dettori and AP.

Don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't want to be riding these days and personally I was happy enough with the old rules. And having spoken to AP and Ruby about this at length this week, I can see both sides of the argument and the worries that some jockeys have.

There are new tough rules out there, and harsh penalties for those who transgress them, and they will take some adapting to.

But no-one can be in any doubt where they stand now - it is there in black and white - and we have to give the new rules a chance. And it could end up being for the betterment of the sport as a whole, not simply the perception, and that has to be good for everybody.

For example, it may improve the standard of jockeyship, and make jockeys strive to better themselves. Because the stronger and more accomplished riders will find it easier to adapt and cope.

I would have had no chance!

And the whip is not always the answer - and that was brought home to me with Big Buck's win in the World Hurdle. You would have thought he would be the last horse on whom you would want to lose your stick on, as Ruby did.

But win he did. Jockeyship, allied to the horse, won the day.

One offshoot of the whip rules is that I think you will see more of the lazier types wearing blinkers and cheekpieces, but let's see how everything pans out and go from there. And if tweaking is needed, then so be it and I hope there is some flexibility if needed.

But one thing I wasn't impressed with this week was Towcester racecourse, and their continued PR stunt about wanting to stage whipless and hands and heels races - and I am certainly not alone on that score.

Firm ground is obviously far damaging to horses than a few smacks with an air-cushioned whip and Towcester would be better served concentrating on providing safe ground and running a racecourse, as opposed to a PR agency.

It was good to see the BHA, and many trainers and jockeys, stand up to them.

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  1. who really wins? | 08 October 2011

    It seems that the vast majority of the industry is behind the new whip rules with the notable exception of John Francome. I am with John. The problem with the new rules is that only the jockey is punished. However, the owner and trainer involved with a winner that has "benefitted" from an over strong ride will retain the race , prize money and kudos. Ballabriggs and Rewilding are two high profile whip "abuse" cases this year. I cannot think of a solid analogy in other sports - maybe its like allowing a powered bike in the Tour de France - but it seems wrong and if the Gold Cup is won by a short head by a jockey who used his whip excessively against you Paul, what would you think then?