Rebecca Menzies has become the latest trainer to condemn the new whip rules claiming they are doing “more harm than good”.
Menzies posted her reaction stable jockey Nathan Moscrop lost an appeal on Thursday against an 11-day whip ban imposed for using his stick twice without giving his horses time to respond and going one over the limit of seven strikes.
The 33-year-old Moscrop is enjoying his best season with 23 winners but Menzies said the imposition of such harsh penalties risked impacting jockeys’ welfare.
The controversial new 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 have been in force since February.
While jockeys are trying to adapt, another ten were issued with bans on Thursday in the latest twice weekly meeting of the BHA’s Whip Review Committee.
Durham-based Menzies, who published her thoughts on Twitter, said: “The current whip rules are doing more harm than good for our sport - specifically the jockeys.
“For all staying within new guidelines is part and parcel of race ricing, it’s about striking a balance, and feel the new rules and subsequent penalties are too severe.
“Riders are losing a significant portion of their income to appease people who will likely never have any financial or emotional investment in horse racing.
“Meanwhile, riders like Nathan, who graft hard day-to-day at the stables and then travel far and wide for any opportunities are punished severely for supposed misdemeanours, imposed ostensibly for an audience that hasn’t got racing’s best interests at heart.
“We all know the importance of welfare within our sport, but the welfare of our jockeys should also be taken into account. For those not at the top of the tree, it’s a real grind at the best of times.
“Such harsh suspension will only prove discouraging and make life that bit harder for them.”
