Talking Horses: racing readies itself for new proposals on whip rules

In 2020, just 0.4% of rides involved a whip offence, a drop of 58% from 2010. Photograph: Steven Cargill/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock

Eleven years after the last big change to racing’s whip rules, the results of the latest attempt to reach a settled position on its use for encouragement will be published at lunchtime on Tuesday. Anyone who recalls the confusion, anger and occasional moments of high farce that ensued last time around could be forgiven for wondering why administrators are minded to reopen old wounds.

For those who do not remember the autumn of 2011 – or had hoped to forget – a strict new regime on overuse of the whip came into force on 10 October, five days before the first Champions Day at Ascot.