Whip use in racing: BHA asks for public opinion as 10-week consultation period begins to discuss potential rule changes
BHA's chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea told Sky Sports Racing: "No decisions have been made and no scenario is more likely than the other. We want everybody that has an opinion on this to contribute."
Thursday 1 July 2021 12:16, UK
A public consultation into the use of the whip in British racing will "consider all possibilities" and is open for all to contribute.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has launched a 10-week consultation period, aimed at gathering and assessing the viewpoints of industry participants, non-industry stakeholders and wider public audiences, regarding rules, usage and penalties related to the whip.
In British racing, the whip used is foam-padded and was designed with input from the RSPCA, and its use in races is subject to strict controls, but has been the subject of much debate.
At Royal Ascot this year, jockey William Buick was given an 11-day suspension and a fine of £1,150 for his use of the whip during a winning ride on Reshoun in the Ascot Stakes.
Views and suggestions from the consultation will be considered by the newly-formed Whip Consultation Steering Group, which includes leading trainer John Gosden plus jockeys Tom Scudamore and PJ McDonald.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports Racing, the BHA's chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea said: "I want to be crystal clear that the Steering Group will consider all possibilities based on the consultation, the feedback received and their own personal insights.
"No decisions have been made and no scenario is more likely than the other. We want everybody that has an opinion on this to contribute.
"It's through making a submission to the consultation that we'll get to a position where that Steering Group are best placed make the right decision based on all the evidence they receive.
"It's an open, public-facing process and we welcome views from anyone. It's important that the sport builds trust and that this process is a transparent one."
Recommendations will undergo further engagement prior to being presented to the BHA Board for consideration and approval in early 2022.
Dunshea said: "In February last year, the industry's independently-chaired horse welfare board published its five-year strategic plan and as part of that they were asked to look at the issue of the whip in British racing.
"In working through that process the horse welfare board recognised that, rightly or wrongly, the public audience saw the use of the whip as a welfare concern.
"There has been a clear need for racing to be responsive. Everybody who is working on the project understands that this is an emotive issue."
