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30 Sep 11
09:52
Joined:
Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
By Pat Keane
Friday, September 30, 2011
RUBY WALSH yesterday expressed his unease at the British Horseracing Authority’s new rules regarding the use of the whip, which come into force on October 10.
The rules will now limit a jockey to seven strikes on the flat and eight over jumps. In addition a jockey will only be able to use his whip on five occasions after the last obstacle or, in flat races, inside the final furlong.
The rules have been generally welcomed, with the likes of Tony McCoy, Richard Hughes, Frankie Dettori and Graham Lee all coming out in favour of them.
Walsh, however, is far from convinced and believes they are going to prove "extremely difficult" for jockeys.
Said Walsh: "I am under no illusions and will have to adhere to them, on the basis the penalties for not obeying are so severe.
"But it will not be easy and how is a jockey expected to count the number of times he has hit a horse in the heat of battle?
"You might have to give a horse a few flicks between the last two obstacles and then you have to remember after the last how many you’ve left.
"I’m not a dunce and will count from one to million for you sitting in a car. Riding a horse, however, is not like sitting at a desk and it is going to be extremely difficult staying within the rules.
"What worries me is that I will have to accept defeat when I could be doing something about it. As a competitive sports person that saddens me. It goes against my whole ethos as a jockey that such is going to be the case.
"All my competitive instincts tell me this is wrong. When I am riding I use my legs and my body and only go for the whip as a last resort.
"But it is inevitable that these rules will be broken, not intentionally, but they will be broken.
"I know they are under fierce pressure in England and, probably, something had to be done, but I don’t think this is the answer.
"The stipendiary stewards in both Britain and Ireland are first class and well capable of legislating on use of the whip which is over-the-top and unacceptable. I certainly hope the Irish authorities do not follow suit."
At Sligo over fences on Wednesday, Walsh gave Traffic Article a terrific front-running drive to beat Kakagh by half a length.
He kidded and cajoled his charge throughout the contest and then gave him eight slaps from the back of the last.
There was no issue with the local stewards, or the general public, regarding his use of the whip, but under the new rules in England Walsh would have automatically incurred a ban
Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/racing/walsh-expresses-unease-with-new-bha-whip-rules-169217.html#ixzz1ZQaxi85g
Friday, September 30, 2011
RUBY WALSH yesterday expressed his unease at the British Horseracing Authority’s new rules regarding the use of the whip, which come into force on October 10.
The rules will now limit a jockey to seven strikes on the flat and eight over jumps. In addition a jockey will only be able to use his whip on five occasions after the last obstacle or, in flat races, inside the final furlong.
The rules have been generally welcomed, with the likes of Tony McCoy, Richard Hughes, Frankie Dettori and Graham Lee all coming out in favour of them.
Walsh, however, is far from convinced and believes they are going to prove "extremely difficult" for jockeys.
Said Walsh: "I am under no illusions and will have to adhere to them, on the basis the penalties for not obeying are so severe.
"But it will not be easy and how is a jockey expected to count the number of times he has hit a horse in the heat of battle?
"You might have to give a horse a few flicks between the last two obstacles and then you have to remember after the last how many you’ve left.
"I’m not a dunce and will count from one to million for you sitting in a car. Riding a horse, however, is not like sitting at a desk and it is going to be extremely difficult staying within the rules.
"What worries me is that I will have to accept defeat when I could be doing something about it. As a competitive sports person that saddens me. It goes against my whole ethos as a jockey that such is going to be the case.
"All my competitive instincts tell me this is wrong. When I am riding I use my legs and my body and only go for the whip as a last resort.
"But it is inevitable that these rules will be broken, not intentionally, but they will be broken.
"I know they are under fierce pressure in England and, probably, something had to be done, but I don’t think this is the answer.
"The stipendiary stewards in both Britain and Ireland are first class and well capable of legislating on use of the whip which is over-the-top and unacceptable. I certainly hope the Irish authorities do not follow suit."
At Sligo over fences on Wednesday, Walsh gave Traffic Article a terrific front-running drive to beat Kakagh by half a length.
He kidded and cajoled his charge throughout the contest and then gave him eight slaps from the back of the last.
There was no issue with the local stewards, or the general public, regarding his use of the whip, but under the new rules in England Walsh would have automatically incurred a ban
Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/racing/walsh-expresses-unease-with-new-bha-whip-rules-169217.html#ixzz1ZQaxi85g
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Yet again, the intelligence the integrity and the striaghtforwardness of the Walsh family put in a shining light.
I am glad Ruby has spoken out. I don't believe for a minute that what trainers or jockeys have said in the press over the last week is their true feelings. Good on Ruby to speak his mind. I would like to hear Ted's opinion on the matter too, no doubt he would have a stronger view! Cheltenham will be a weird atmosphere.. will a jockey be booed if he breaks the rule? What if one sticks to them and loses by 1l, its cheating... Ruby is right, jumps is a different game to the flat and the whip is more important in it |
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I can't believe McCoy truly thinks this is the right move.
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The BHA are under the mistaken illusion that this will serve to increase the sports attractiveness and encourage more customers through the gates. It will not.
Their only motivation for implementing this new rule is not because they truly believe it will be kinder to horses; it is solely borne out of a basic misguided belief that it will increase revenue. It will not. I guarantee that greater public participation in the sport will not happen. I also guarantee that many punters will desert racing realising that horses are not being ridden to the best of their ability and that more and more races are producing results which contradict the form book and leave the sport more open to accusations of race-fixing. Revenues will diminish even further, prize money will get even worse, the best equine stock in the World will race abroad and more of our better jockeys will ride elsewhere. |
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Whatever be said of the Walsh's they call it as they see it.
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Good analysis Lucan
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Vodkatini would have been withdrawn every race he was entered in if he was around racing now. No jockey not even a 10lb claimer would want to ride a horse like it where you use your quota just at the start.
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Whenever I left the cinema after watching a cowboys and indians film I always, always rode home faster for my tea when I gave myself a few slaps across my backside as the Indians were riding after me.
In fact, only yesterday I got the wagon train home after a few hefty slaps! |
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Jumping and Lucky well said I agree with both 100%. The rules will be a licence for non-triers. Also if a jockey can only hit a horse 7/8 times he is more likely to get value for money - the horses will know it was not someone kissing him. Hardly good for horse welfare.
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And there is poor old John Behan back in Ireland serving out his punishment when in actual fact he was ahead of his time by resisting the temptation to use his whip.
Just goes to show that what is prohibited one day, becomes the norm the next. |
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Unlike McCoy,Dettori etc Walsh is presumably licensed in Ireland.
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"He didn't run for the whip. But if I'd thought it would have made any difference I'd have cut rashers off him."
The former Irish amateur rider turned trainer and RTE commentator Ted Walsh explaining his uncharacteristically tender handling of Attitude Adjuster at Cheltenham in 1986. Another "shining light" example of the "intelligence the integrity and the striaghtforwardness of the Walsh family" wouldn't you agree JumpingJackFlash? |
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GG I would always prefer the guy who tells it as it. Most of the jockeys and trainers who spoke out in favour of the new rules were certainly not doing that.
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This will possibly make life easier for trainers who can work at getting a nice handicap mark before going further afield to enjoy longer odds when their jockeys are instructed to hit the horse home at all costs.
So, whilst we might witness less whipping over here you can rest assured that jockeys will be trying even harder on their away-day exploits. Poor horses. |
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salmon spray
30 Sep 11 12:51 Unlike McCoy,Dettori etc Walsh is presumably licensed in Ireland What a silly post. Does it matter where you are licensed? You ride in England you abide by their laws. If he breaks the law he will be punished in england. I'd rather think Ruby would like to be riding in the UK every weekend. |
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And if any trainer/owner tells the jockey he'll pay the fine and is found out they will be suspended from racing for 2/3 years.
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Me too Arkle - I've a feeling that the comments supposedly made by one or two jockeys in support of the new rules will come back to haunt them.
I agree with Walsh that the new rules are borderline unworkable, but in my view, the solution is simple; ban the use of the whip altogether. What he seems to fail to realise is that minus the whip, the gulf in ability between Walsh, McCoy, Geraghty and their peers will become even more pronounced. |
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"I’m not a dunce and will count from one to million for you sitting in a car"
imagine being his driver  |
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Better than Mick Fitzgerald warbling the Fields of Athenry imo.
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It won't effect Walsh all that much, he'll ride midweek in Ireland for the most part, only riding in England at the w/ends or when there's no Irish midweek fixture.
You have to afford yourself a little wry smile when the likes of McCoy and Fallon voice their approval of the new whip restrictions, rewind the clock to about 10 year ago McCoy and Fallon would have been spitting fury. Two of the most whip happy jockeys to ever grace the game roll over like cowering beaten dogs, strange very strange indeed!. |
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That is not a silly post you supercilious pr@t. Of course I know Walsh has to obey the English rules in England. The point is he doesn`t depend on the BHA to issue his licence so he won`t be on the list they gave their PR boys for one thing.
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jump racing's definitely come off much worse imo; 7 times on the flat is ample i think, 8 over jumps isn't. What happens if a horse is idle at the start or has to have a couple of back handers to get going or to wake it up going into a flight? You'd have used your allowance after one circuit.
How can it be right to be able to use the whip 7 times in a 5 furlong race, but only once more over 3 or even 4 miles with fences to negotiate. mad, stupid stupid rule imo. |
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salmon - as I understand it if you're banned here and your licence removed you may well have that licence removed elsewhere as the different bodies try to have some joint thinking - look at Fergal Lynch.
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Yes I KNOW that but he is still not dependent on the BHA for his licence in the first place. Or at least i wouldn`t imagine he is. I rather object to being called a fool when I try and make a valid point. Even if it is by AD who obv iously thinks his undoubted c+ping skills make him c*ck of the roost.
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all i can say is i can't wait till the real extreme distance races like the grand national come along with these stupid new whip rules or races on heavy/soft ground...
lets just face it, people will limit there betting or stop betting on jump racing altogether. |
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All they had to do to appease the broadcasters and the public was to apply the new rule to the Grand National.
End of story. The National is the only race that the general public bother to watch. |
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this rule wont affect sam wc and long run!
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Salmon no need to get insulting mate.
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How clever of idiot armchair jockeys, here and elsewhere, for whom being "strong in a finish" (i.e. beating the brown stuff out of a horse) is the be-all and and-all appear to know the true thoughts of any number of prominent jockeys who have come out and openly welcomed the new proposals.
And as for you, LuckyLucan, the fact that some other goober has agreed with you doesn't give you leave to stray for your own infantile drivel onto a proper horseracing thread. |
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You started it AD.
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Anaglogs Daughter Joined: 05 Jan 10
Replies: 12124 30 Sep 11 14:01 Salmon no need to get insulting mate. Wottack Hunt! After you called SS a fool? Stick to copying and pasting vast walls of text - always go to your strengths imo. PS well done salmon. |
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wonder how they will punish amateurs?
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LuckyLucan
30 Sep 11 13:53 Joined: 14 Nov 10 | Topic/replies: 5,211 | Blogger: LuckyLucan's blog All they had to do to appease the broadcasters and the public was to apply the new rule to the Grand National. End of story. The National is the only race that the general public bother to watch. Spot on! |
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i want to know where the health and safety is when half the riders in a 5 furlong sprint will be too busy trying to spot where the furlong pole is rather than concentrating on what is happening in and around them....surely if a jockey pauses even slightly during a race to look away we could end up with accidents happening.
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Very good point duffy - they would be concentrating on the wrong things which WILL lead to danger.
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Christ - duffy makes what I thought was the most idiotic post of the day and then bilbo trumps it. Clueless doesn't even begin to cover it.
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Crawford wrote..the true thoughts of any number of prominent jockeys who have come out and openly welcomed the new proposals.
Crawford, you're talking through that hole in your backside if you think those supposed jockey quotes came directly out of the mouths of jockeys. They should not have used them as ACTUAL quotes when in actual fact someone at the BHA, possibly Struthers, concocted the sentences and just got the jockeys to rubber stamp them. |
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...the jockeys should stfu....
...its the horses that count and this measure is long long overdue..... |
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Think McCoy would win tons more just by shoving them if the whip was banned altogether for persuasion so I reckon that's the way he sees it going, mind you would put ladies and the young ones at a massive disadvantage.
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Gerry Gallbladder 30 Sep 11 13:18
Me too Arkle - I've a feeling that the comments supposedly made by one or two jockeys in support of the new rules will come back to haunt them. I agree with Walsh that the new rules are borderline unworkable, but in my view, the solution is simple; ban the use of the whip altogether. What he seems to fail to realise is that minus the whip, the gulf in ability between Walsh, McCoy, Geraghty and their peers will become even more pronounced. kettle pot and black gerry  |