so now acording to the PJA statemtent......things have changed.....

More about the loss of fee, imo, Renge.

Anaglogs Daughter Joined: 05 Jan 10
Replies: 12747 14 Oct 11 15:31   
PJA RELEASE WHIP RULE STATEMENT
sportinglife.com

The PJA have released a statement reiterating that Jockeys as a group welcomed the move towards greater precision in the amended rules, but are unhappy with the new penalties for infringements of the rules.

However, whilst the statement urged the BHA to respond positively and urgently, there was no mention of any proposed jockeys strike to take place on Monday, as rumours had suggested may be the case.

Richard Hughes, one of the senior figures in the weighing room, last night relinquished his licence after picking up his second ban in four days since the new instructions were introduced at the start of the week.

Hughes said he would not consider riding again until the rules changed.


Professional Jockeys Association statement:

The Professional Jockeys Association this afternoon (FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER) submitted written proposals to the British Horseracing Authority concerning the new whip rules that apply to Jockeys.


The recommendations from the Jockeys include revisions to the range of penalties for infringements as well as some further clarifications of the rules themselves.


PJA Chief Executive Kevin Darley reiterated that Jockeys as a group welcomed the move towards greater precision in the amended rules.


"What Jockeys do have concerns about however, are the new penalties for what they perceive to be relatively minor infringements of the rules," he said. "The PJA believes very strongly that this aspect needs to be re-considered."


He stressed that Jockeys understood how important it is that the sport of racing conveys the correct message about horse welfare to the public.


The PJA said that it hoped the BHA would respond positively and urgently to the proposals.

The three racecourses due to stage fixtures on Monday have not been told of any strike planned by jockeys in protest at new whip regulations which came into effect this week.

Windsor, Pontefract and Plumpton are all scheduled to race, yet speculation mounts about possibility of industrial action.

Richard Hughes, one of the senior figures in the weighing room, relinquished his licence after picking up his second ban in four days since the new instructions regarding the whip were introduced on Monday.

However, despite no jockeys appearing against the name of any horse at Windsor on the official British Horseracing Authority administration site, the racecourse were unwilling to confirm or deny if they had been advised of any action.

A spokesman said: "We're not getting involved and have no comment to make."

Pontefract and Plumpton said they had not been contacted.

A spokeswoman for Pontefract said: "We've seen what has been going on regarding the whip but nobody has contacted us to say there is a strike."

Plumpton's spokesman said: "We've heard the rumours but have not had any contact with anybody."

Racehorse Owners Association president Rachel Hood, wife of trainer John Gosden, hopes strike action can be averted and that a meeting can be arranged "immediately".

"Along with the rest of racing, the ROA is extremely disappointed that the new whip rules have led to this controversy, especially at a time when the racing world should be basking in the positive publicity of British Champions Day," she said.

"We very much hope the jockeys will pull back from taking action until the BHA and PJA can meet.

"Such a meeting must take place immediately and must be conducted in a climate where the jockeys' concerns are listened to and acted upon.

"The PJA's chief executive Kevin Darley is a very reasonable man who understands the importance of balancing the anxiety of his members with the requirements of racing's regulator.

"We, as fellow horsemen, support him in his endeavours to find a quick solution to what has already become a damaging dispute."

So the punters don't matter then.  Expect a similar level of contempt for the customer with the BHA statement.

These lads put their lives on the line for us,backers or layers,that is the point!