A Cheltenham Festival poster has triggered a social media meltdown after showing Gold Cup-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore without her whip.
The racecourse has used an iconic photograph of the historic day last year when Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard.
But in a poster for the 2023 festival, which has been displayed across the London Underground network, the whip she was carrying in her right hand as she punched the air in joy appears to have been airbrushed out of the scene.
The artwork has provoked a furious reaction on Twitter, with a number of users highlighting the missing stick.
Grand National-winning jockey Brendan Powell tweeted, “Never realised Rach lost her whip!!! Thank god it wasn’t a close finish.”
Former Channel 4 Racing pundit Jim McGrath said: “How insulting is this? Maybe next year those responsible for this one will leave out the horse!
“If those running and partaking in the sport are so ashamed advertising is reduced to this they shouldn’t be in it.”
Racing TV presenter Tom Stanley remarked; “Whip airbrushed out is interesting.”
Next month’s Cheltenham Festival will be the first at which jockeys will have to adhere to controversial new whip rules which have reduced the number of hits jockeys are allowed, with disqualification now included for the first time as a penalty for the most serious breaches, in addition to curbs on use above shoulder height.
Leading racing figures had called for the changes to be postponed until after the Cheltenham Festival but they came into force this week with BHA chief executive Julie Harrington claiming the sport would look better on the TV news under the new rules.
Among many others to comment on the poster, Steve Millar wrote: "Must be the virtue signalling Julie Harrington’s directive “Young people don’t come racing because of the whip” what a load of drivel.
“Probably need to put a bottle of champagne in Rachel’s hand then @BHAHorseracing ,pathetic!!”
A spokesperson for the Jockey Club, which owns Cheltenham racecourse , said: “We recognise there are diverse views on the whip and have a wide range of images and content that are used to attract all sports fans.
"We’re proud of our sport and the iconic moments it creates for fans of all walks of life and remain deeply committed that racing is a sport for all.”
