The Industry View / Paul Nicholls / 28 October 2011 / 2

Paul is backing Ruby Walsh's appeal over the jockey's suspension for over-use of the whip, but does not want strike action and believes the whip debate needs to be brought to a head before it spirals out of control...

I think the general public have more pressing matters on their mindsthan the whip issue - like how they are going to pay their heating and fuel bills this winter.

That is my honest take on this on-going whip debate, which seems to be on the verge of spiralling out of control once again.

For the past 10 years, including from last weekend, I will tell you how many complaints I have received over the whip on the telephone, via email or in letters: none, although I have had plenty in support of Ruby this week, including the owners of Edgardo Sol.

So it was really sad to see Ruby so disillusioned with the sport after his superb willing ride on our Edgardo Sol, which saw him given a five-day whip ban for excellence.

His interview with Nick Luck on RUK on Wednesday night really saddened me, and no doubt many others. Listening to such a competitive and premier sportsman so downbeat, voicing his concerns for a sport that he now considers watered down, was depressing.

So let us hope someone, somewhere, can grab hold of the situation before any more talks of strikes are aired.

Yes of course Ruby has my support in his appeal next Thursday. But discussions behind closed doors, however heated and lengthy, are the way forward here. Not strike action, which probably won't have much support or sympathy outside of the weighing room and may actually be counter-productive to their cause.

I have spoken to Paul Roy about the situation and the matter that most concerns me is that the punishment doesn't fit the "crime" and the rules don't take into account the unintentional or instinctive reactions of a jockey, as in Ruby's case.

In rugby union, the referee has the option of not giving a penalty for accidental offside, such as when a player instinctively catches a ricocheting ball when he is in an offside position.

So even in such a strict and complicated rulebook such as rugby, the referee has some latitude and can make a common sense decision. And that is what many jockeys feel has been taken away from the stewards; some degree of flexibility and common sense in such a dangerous, high-pressure and fast-action sport such as horseracing. That can't be too much to ask.

But it was great to have Ruby back on board my horses today, winning on Fistral Beach at Wetherby, and hopefully it will be that way for years to come.

He has my support, and crucially the support of my staff and owners and all here at Ditcheat.

The sport would really have shot itself in the foot if its premier riding practitioner could only be seen in action on TV or a visit to Ireland.

Weekend Runners, 9am Saturday

Don't forget to check out my column at 9am tomorrow for all my Weekend Runners, including my best chances.

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1. Anonymous | 28 October 2011

   these whip rules or nonsence jockeys don,t go out to hurt horses does a jockey have to get hurt or killed for these people to see sence

2. wini | 28 October 2011

   good on you paul backing ruby.he's a
   great jockey and deserves all our
   support.as do all the other lads. this
   whip saga has gone on to long.everyone
   who follows racing nows we must keep
   the perswaider. horses are more keen
   to get back to the stables as soon as
   theire about to race. its common sense
   we must keep the whip.
   a good clout as a kid
   did me no harm.
   
   

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