Three jockeys handed bans in first few days of new whip rules
Three jockeys have been handed bans for overuse of the whip within the first three days of the new rules coming in.
On the first day of the new regime (Monday 10 October) Kieren Fox was given a 15-day suspension after using his whip 11 times on his winning-mount Orthodox Lad.
In the same race, at Salisbury, Richard Hughes – who finished third on Swift Blade – was handed a five-day ban for striking the horse six times in the final furlong.
Under new stricter rules the whip must not be used more than seven times in a Flat race – eight in a jumps race and not more than five in the final furlong, or after the last obstacle.
Mr Fox said he was not appealing and had to “take it on the chin” but that was sure he wouldn’t be the last to receive a ban.
Mr Hughes said he’d used the whip as a corrective measure.
Both jockeys also forfeited their riding fee and percentage of prize money.
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And today (Wednesday 12 October) Natalia Gemelova became the latest jockey to receive a ban after finishing second on For Life at Lingfield.
She did not exceed the seven-stroke limit – but used them all in the last furlong. She will be suspended for seven days.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.