New rules governing the use of the whip by riders in Australian racing will come into force from 1 August 2009. A DVD has been produced to explain the new rules and what will and will not be permissible. Watch the DVD by clicking play on the main screen.
On March 19, 2009, the Australian Racing Board (ARB) announced a series changes to the rules governing the use of the whip in Australian racing.
The new Australian Rule of Racing 137A takes effect from August 1, 2009.
Essentially, the changes fall into six (6) categories:
Types of whips
Only padded whips are to be used in races or official trials. The National Chairman of Stewards Advisory Group has determined the specifications of permissible padded whips.
More information
The circumstances in which a whip may be usedThe new rule limits the circumstances in which a whip may be used by preventing the whip being used when the horse is out of contention, is showing no response, has passed the winning post or has no reasonable prospect of improving or losing it's position. There are further restrictions in that the rider must give the horse time to respond and the whip must not be used in consecutive strides, other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner. The exception to this is that on one occasion in the last 200 metres the whip may be used in three consecutive strides.
Riders are also prevented from using the whip more than five times prior to the 200 metres other than with a slapping motion down the shoulder, with the whip hand remaining on the reins, or alternatively in a backhand manner.
The way in which a whip may be used
A rider may not use the whip forward of the horse's shoulder or in the vicinity of the head, use an action that raises his arm above the shoulder height nor use his whip in such a way as to cause injury to his horse.
Education campaign
To assist in educating riders, trainers, owners and the pubic about what will and will not be permissible under the new rules, a DVD has been produced demonstrating what is and is not permissible.
Penalties
After the education program and implementation of the new rule, stewards will enforce the rule in a nationally consistent manner. The National Chairman of Stewards will develop a national template of penalties for breaches of the rule including a policy of forfeiture of prizemoney percentages in the case of egregious breaches.
Importantly, trainers, owners or agents may also be punished if they provide instructions which, if carried out, might result in a breach of the rule.
A breach of the new rule will not be a basis upon which a protest or objection may be lodged.