Jump jockey Charlotte Jones has claimed an unwanted place in racing history after becoming the first rider whose breach of the controversial new whip rules has led to disqualification.
The 28-year-old’s riding of the Jimmy Moffatt-trained Lunar Discovery who finished second in a mares’ bumper race at Ayr on February 14 was referred to the BHA’s Whip Review Committee.
She used her whip 11 times in the closing stages in driving Lunar Discovery to finish a head behind the winner Hierarchy.
And as she exceeded the permitted whip stroke level for jumps races of seven by four or more, her mount had to be disqualified.
Lunar Discovery’s owner Kevin Glastonbury received news of the demotion by email on Tuesday.
“Just got home to an email from the BHA to say our horse, Lunar Discovery has been disqualified for whip offence, the first I believe,” he announced on Twitter.
“RP comment edged right, drifted left 2f out, hung right inside final furlong. Owner breeders, fed up and wondering why bother!”
Jones, who has ridden 56 winners, was one of a number of jockeys to be sanctioned in the first week of the full implementation of the rules which have introduced stiffer penalties for whip offences.
The Committee suspended her for 14 days from March 7 to March 20 inclusive and ordered to spend one of those days undergoing training at the British Racing School or another approved provider.
The Whip Review Committee said Lunar Discovery was disqualifed because none of her hits were "clearly and unequivocally for safety purposes".
Moffatt, who trains at Cartmel in Cumbria, said: "Where we are at at the moment with it is at this point in time, I don't want to say anything until we have discussed it with the owner properly pending an appeal."
The disqualification was confirmed in a full list of decisions released by the BHA on Wednesday. There were 20 riding suspensions in the first week with Lorcan Williams, who rides for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, receiving the longest suspension, an 18-day ban which has ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival.
The BHA's chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea said: "Jockeys have had more than four weeks to adapt to the new rules through the bedding-in period. As the jockeys themselves have stated, it is now up to them to ensure that they ride within the new rules.”
He continued: "Disqualification has been introduced as the ultimate deterrent for overuse of the whip. There is simply no excuse for using the whip four or more times above the permitted level.
"It was always likely that the disqualification rule would need to be invoked in the early stages of the implementation of the new rules. We hope that this sends a clear message to all jockeys and reinforces this deterrent effect.”
Commenting on the Lorcan Williams case, he said: "The whip has been used not only above the permitted level, but also from above shoulder height on multiple occasions. This is a breach of the rules in most racing jurisdictions.
“Lorcan was advised on numerous occasions throughout the bedding in period of rides that would amount to a breach of the new Rules should he continued to ride in the same manner. The Review Committee have included a mandatory session with the British Racing School as part of his penalty. This is part of the purpose of the Committee, to bring about improvements in riding standards.”
