Jockeys will still be allowed to use the whip in the forehand position under revised changes to riding rules – but the number of times a rider may strike his mount will be further reduced from February.
The British Horseracing Authority set out a raft of alterations to the rules in the summer, with jockeys only allowed to use the whip in the backhand position and serious breaches of the regulations to result in disqualification from races and possible 28-day bans for riders in major races.
However, a number of riders registered their disquiet over the proposed changes last month, particularly the implementation of the backhand-only position, with the BHA announcing further consultation to “explore options that address the concerns being raised”.
