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15 Oct 11
18:15
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05 Jan 10
British Horseracing Authority
http://bit.ly/ouV7Bq
Soumillon angered by whip ban
Christophe Soumillon was left seething after being handed a five-day ban for breaching the new whip regulations during his winning ride on Cirrus Des Aigles in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The new rules, which came into effect on Monday, state a rider can only use his whip seven times in a Flat race, with only five of those 'hits' allowed inside the final furlong.
Belgian-born, French-based Soumillon was ruled to have used his whip six times in the last furlong, and as well as his ban he also forfeited his riding fee and percentage of prize-money, amounting to around £50,000.
Soumillon said: "I'm very embarrassed for English racing today. You have a lot of problems, but the whip is not one of them.
"Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do. We now have padded whips, they are very soft and I hit my horse to make him do his best in the last furlong.
"Maybe I should have hit him before the final marker, but the rules have only been in one week. I just gave six, I didn't give eight, nine or 10. For a little mistake they give me a five-day suspension and I'm fighting for the title in France, so it is important for my career, and they take away all my prize money, around £50,000."
He went on: "Never can a fine like this have been handed out in sport. I never saw Zinedine Zidane get a fine like this, or Michael Schumacher in Formula One. I cannot understand why they change it one week before Champions Day.
"I was just beside So You Think, who everybody knows is a very tall horse. How can I see the furlong marker? There are (blue and white) publicity banners everywhere on the track, how can I see the marker? The marker is small yet for this small mistake I get a big ban.
"I don't understand and I think the English jockeys have to get together to sort it out because it is impossible to work this way. I was very afraid to get a suspension. You can't change the rule in one week.
"We are civilised people. This is 2011, not 1800, you can't kill people like they used to. The rules can change, but not like that. The rules should all be the same, you can't cut people's heads and legs off. The rules should be the same everywhere in the world. I will take a good lawyer and see what I can do."
http://bit.ly/ouV7Bq
Soumillon angered by whip ban
Christophe Soumillon was left seething after being handed a five-day ban for breaching the new whip regulations during his winning ride on Cirrus Des Aigles in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The new rules, which came into effect on Monday, state a rider can only use his whip seven times in a Flat race, with only five of those 'hits' allowed inside the final furlong.
Belgian-born, French-based Soumillon was ruled to have used his whip six times in the last furlong, and as well as his ban he also forfeited his riding fee and percentage of prize-money, amounting to around £50,000.
Soumillon said: "I'm very embarrassed for English racing today. You have a lot of problems, but the whip is not one of them.
"Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do. We now have padded whips, they are very soft and I hit my horse to make him do his best in the last furlong.
"Maybe I should have hit him before the final marker, but the rules have only been in one week. I just gave six, I didn't give eight, nine or 10. For a little mistake they give me a five-day suspension and I'm fighting for the title in France, so it is important for my career, and they take away all my prize money, around £50,000."
He went on: "Never can a fine like this have been handed out in sport. I never saw Zinedine Zidane get a fine like this, or Michael Schumacher in Formula One. I cannot understand why they change it one week before Champions Day.
"I was just beside So You Think, who everybody knows is a very tall horse. How can I see the furlong marker? There are (blue and white) publicity banners everywhere on the track, how can I see the marker? The marker is small yet for this small mistake I get a big ban.
"I don't understand and I think the English jockeys have to get together to sort it out because it is impossible to work this way. I was very afraid to get a suspension. You can't change the rule in one week.
"We are civilised people. This is 2011, not 1800, you can't kill people like they used to. The rules can change, but not like that. The rules should all be the same, you can't cut people's heads and legs off. The rules should be the same everywhere in the world. I will take a good lawyer and see what I can do."
Show More
Onthesnaff......It will not happen in Ireland........they tried last year to wreck the greyhound industry and hunting.........it will never happen in a country like Ireland thats why we are the world leaders in producing race horses and greyhounds(ozzies think different)........it's more than a leisure sport in Ireland it's an industry.
fkk me, how stupid are you guys? you tax on profit..really?? REALLY?? you must get 2 dollars a year from the bookies/punters, Should tell the jockey that might make him understand why he got banned 50k for whipping his horse one extra time 
no onthesnaff ..the racecourses would be empty after a week ...common sense is missing from british racing ...they've got to be seen pleasing the animal rights groups....they let themselves be bought to this , by not putting their foot down as soon as the animal groups started kicking up a fuse ....no one likes seen beaten horses been smacked ..but this has gone beyond anything ever witnessed before or since...the people who now have the biggest imput into racing i.e. animal rights groups ,know nothing about racing....
TAXI for the leader and QIPCO need to pull their dosh. Who wants to be associated with that sh*t. You simply could not make it up could you.
why do mug punters think you need to no something about racing to discuss the whip,if crufts were on bbc 2 and the owners were whacking their dogs with sticks ,what do you think would happen
To be honest poster I think it is a little important to know your subject. Trust you have sat on a horsie?
Qipco need to pull the plug and go elsewhere,The Aga Khan very shrewd in staying out of Britain with his horses,more rich owners need to follow suit
Is a big big difference between a doggie (unless you are sat on its back) and a horsie.
for the anti whip brigade.....have a look at the finish of the last race at wolves.....the jockey had to give the winner a couple o smacks down the neck just to stop it running off the track ...AFTER THE RACE....
Ist time That is libel.Either retract or I will report you
There certainly should be more threats by those who know about horses, whip debate, crap prize money, no 2012 fixture list, too many meetings, a sport dictated to by bookmakers. How much more of a kicking are those in charge going to give this sport?
Just got back from a great day @Ascot. and this has really taken the shine off it for me. Feel gutted for Christophe. How can a pompous steward deny a man his wages for a days work. There must be a labour law which this breaks. That's the trouble with the BHA, run by the old school tie brigade who still think the jockeys are pieces of sh1t.
i totally agree with bobsievier nice and simple slaps down the neck to help horses concentrate should not count and all jockeys who have had riding fees and prizemoney taken away be fully reimbursed the bha are complete idiots and the laughing stock of world racing
i totally agree with bobsievier nice and simple slaps down the neck to help horses concentrate should not count and all jockeys who have had riding fees and prizemoney taken away be fully reimbursed the bha are complete idiots and the laughing stock of world racing
That 50k straight back into the bookies pocket...err industry
I notice on these whip threads a larger than usuual number of inadvertently duplicated posts
A sure sign that emotions are running very high on this issue
A sure sign that emotions are running very high on this issue
Adrian Nicholls
Games gone 55k done the pisser c s must be pised I would jump off the air France flight
Nicky Macka
A great days racing overshadowed by another whip case. #sortitoutbha
Games gone 55k done the pisser c s must be pised I would jump off the air France flight
Nicky Macka
A great days racing overshadowed by another whip case. #sortitoutbha
RobMcNichol
I've just started up a website all about the Whip controversy. Unfortunately it's had more than seven hits so will be down for five days.
I've just started up a website all about the Whip controversy. Unfortunately it's had more than seven hits so will be down for five days.
If they cause all this trouble with the whip ban then why the hell do they think the grand national is ok with the amount of horses killed ?
peter scudamore
"For the sake of 20 yds racing is ridiculed"
"For the sake of 20 yds racing is ridiculed"
They clearly do not think the grand national is ok
It was because of the last one that all these new rules came in
plus they have continually been cutting down the size of the fences to try and reduce the number of fatalities.net result is that the race is now a pale shadow of a once great event
they seem to want to hammer more and more nails into racings coffin
It was because of the last one that all these new rules came in
plus they have continually been cutting down the size of the fences to try and reduce the number of fatalities.net result is that the race is now a pale shadow of a once great event
they seem to want to hammer more and more nails into racings coffin
Exactly Dekaiser, if an air-cushioned whip is being questioned then the whole sport needs to be looked at, starting with jump racing.
How hypocritical is it to say we're not happy for horses to be smacked a few times with an air-cushioned whip, but we don't mind sending horses out to risk their lives jumping obstacles.
Horses are going to die this winter over jumps, I doubt any horse will die as a result of being persuaded with an air-cushioned whip.
How hypocritical is it to say we're not happy for horses to be smacked a few times with an air-cushioned whip, but we don't mind sending horses out to risk their lives jumping obstacles.
Horses are going to die this winter over jumps, I doubt any horse will die as a result of being persuaded with an air-cushioned whip.
How can the punishment fit the crime??? 1 whip over £55,000 fine and a possible £50,000. It's a pity they wouldn't fine the tracks £50,000 a race for every minute they are off late.
Whip ban v Grand 'death race' national
BHA clearly think a horse getting whipped more than 5 times is much more serious than a dead horse
BHA clearly think a horse getting whipped more than 5 times is much more serious than a dead horse
Nobody can tell me where the money goes that is generated by these fines ? Anyone know ?
Must be the same idiots who had jumps on the all weather years ago.
de kaiser
Are you really against the grand natiuonal?
do you think its cruel ask a horse jump a fence ?
Are you really against the grand natiuonal?
do you think its cruel ask a horse jump a fence ?
If NH racing goes then so will show jumping and 3 day eventing (as cruel as any race I've seen).
mr spock
their governing body stands up for their sport
thats the difference
their governing body stands up for their sport
thats the difference
Came home just before six and saw Soumillon's interview. My jaw dropped.
A perfect example of the BHA's naive assessment on how to implement this rule.
Fines ranging from a few hundred to today's 40K hit.
There is going to be a headline a week till this is tackled.
Someone 40K 'richer' this evening. I would be embarrassed.
A perfect example of the BHA's naive assessment on how to implement this rule.
Fines ranging from a few hundred to today's 40K hit.
There is going to be a headline a week till this is tackled.
Someone 40K 'richer' this evening. I would be embarrassed.
maybe the money goes in the pockets of those guys at the BHA
a very cunning plan
a very cunning plan
That's true but whatever is making the BHA act like this will come knocking at their door eventually. Country's F*cked with minorities ruling everything.
Was told by a work rider for godolphin that 7 jockeys are going to hand in their licences in the next 7-10 days as they cannot work with the big fines.
Were any jockey's involved with the consultation?
All the backslapping on Twitter about what a great success Ascot was today but yet the BBC and most of the sports news and radio sports and even Reuters are leading with Christophe Soumillon
Belgian jockey loses £50,000 in prize money after Ascot whipping storm
Saturday, 15 October 2011
By Frank Keogh at Ascot
BBC Sport
Belgian jockey has lost more than £50,000 in prize money and been given a five-day ban for flouting the new whip rules.
He was punished after he struck his mount six times in the final furlong as he won the £1.3m Champion Stakes on Cirrus Des Aigles at Champions Day.
"They changed the rules five days before the race. How can they do that?" asked the 30-year-old.
The penalty cost him the biggest pot won by a jockey riding in the UK.
Tougher whip rules and penalties that only allow Flat jockeys five strikes in the final furlong have angered riders after they were introduced on Monday.
Richard Hughes relinquished his licence after a second whip ban and jockeys had threatened strike action before talks with racing's rulers were scheduled in an effort to resolve the dispute.
The new guidelines mean the whip can only be used a maximum of seven times in a Flat race and eight times over the jumps - roughly half the previous limit - with a maximum of five of those strikes allowed within the final furlong or after the final fence.
Soumillon was riding in the UK for the first time since the new regulations were brought in.
He was punished after guiding his 12-1 shot to victory following a neck-and-neck tussle with So You Think in the concluding contest of the richest ever raceday in Britain.
Under the complicated prize money percentage system, he is estimated to have lost £56,290.
After a stewards' inquiry, Soumillon said: "They have given me a five-day ban and have taken my money from me. How can they take my money?
Continue reading the main story
Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do
Christophe Soumillon
"They have changed the rules five days before the race - how can they do that?
"For such a small thing, I get a big ban. I think the jockeys should get together because it is impossible to work this way."
Soumillon said he could not understand why the rules were not the same around the world.
"I'm very embarrassed for English racing today," said the jockey, who is based in France.
"You have a lot of problems but the whip is not one of them.
"Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do."
Cornelius Lysaght
This is patently a crisis and racing's regulator, the BHA, must rue bringing in new whip rules in this of all weeks. It is clearly unjust that a jockey is fined £55,000 for a relatively minor slip. No one, for a second, is saying Christophe Soumillon abused his mount. His penalty makes the meeting between racing's regulator and the jockeys all the more important on Monday. Previous penalties were probably not tough enough, but they are now draconian. The difficulty appears to be the level of punishment, rather than number of times whip are used. It is hard not to sympathise with Soumillon riding his horse over 40mph and having to see where the furlong marker is
Belgian jockey loses £50,000 in prize money after Ascot whipping storm
Saturday, 15 October 2011
By Frank Keogh at Ascot
BBC Sport
Belgian jockey has lost more than £50,000 in prize money and been given a five-day ban for flouting the new whip rules.
He was punished after he struck his mount six times in the final furlong as he won the £1.3m Champion Stakes on Cirrus Des Aigles at Champions Day.
"They changed the rules five days before the race. How can they do that?" asked the 30-year-old.
The penalty cost him the biggest pot won by a jockey riding in the UK.
Tougher whip rules and penalties that only allow Flat jockeys five strikes in the final furlong have angered riders after they were introduced on Monday.
Richard Hughes relinquished his licence after a second whip ban and jockeys had threatened strike action before talks with racing's rulers were scheduled in an effort to resolve the dispute.
The new guidelines mean the whip can only be used a maximum of seven times in a Flat race and eight times over the jumps - roughly half the previous limit - with a maximum of five of those strikes allowed within the final furlong or after the final fence.
Soumillon was riding in the UK for the first time since the new regulations were brought in.
He was punished after guiding his 12-1 shot to victory following a neck-and-neck tussle with So You Think in the concluding contest of the richest ever raceday in Britain.
Under the complicated prize money percentage system, he is estimated to have lost £56,290.
After a stewards' inquiry, Soumillon said: "They have given me a five-day ban and have taken my money from me. How can they take my money?
Continue reading the main story
Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do
Christophe Soumillon
"They have changed the rules five days before the race - how can they do that?
"For such a small thing, I get a big ban. I think the jockeys should get together because it is impossible to work this way."
Soumillon said he could not understand why the rules were not the same around the world.
"I'm very embarrassed for English racing today," said the jockey, who is based in France.
"You have a lot of problems but the whip is not one of them.
"Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do."
Cornelius Lysaght
This is patently a crisis and racing's regulator, the BHA, must rue bringing in new whip rules in this of all weeks. It is clearly unjust that a jockey is fined £55,000 for a relatively minor slip. No one, for a second, is saying Christophe Soumillon abused his mount. His penalty makes the meeting between racing's regulator and the jockeys all the more important on Monday. Previous penalties were probably not tough enough, but they are now draconian. The difficulty appears to be the level of punishment, rather than number of times whip are used. It is hard not to sympathise with Soumillon riding his horse over 40mph and having to see where the furlong marker is
What is the largest fine/ban a jockey has received and for what offence?
Thing is flat racing doesn't even come close to jump racing as regards cruelty, whipping tired almost legless horses over jumps is an ugly sight.
Point been: apart from Britain, Ireland and France (to a lesser extent), I suppose we can throw in the Czech race?, I don't think any other nation could give a rats effing ass about jump racing, in fact most nations don't even entertain jump racing.
Real racing is suffering because of the sins of a minority sport, personally I really couldn't care less if I ever seen another jump race, but? but? Cheltenham? what about Cheltenham?, I'm sure I'd learn to live without it just like I've learned to live without many other things in life.
Flat racing is for real horses Jump racing is just a skip for slow horses often rejects from the flat.
Did anyone ever ask themsleves why most other racing nations couldn't be arsed about it?.
Point been: apart from Britain, Ireland and France (to a lesser extent), I suppose we can throw in the Czech race?, I don't think any other nation could give a rats effing ass about jump racing, in fact most nations don't even entertain jump racing.
Real racing is suffering because of the sins of a minority sport, personally I really couldn't care less if I ever seen another jump race, but? but? Cheltenham? what about Cheltenham?, I'm sure I'd learn to live without it just like I've learned to live without many other things in life.
Flat racing is for real horses Jump racing is just a skip for slow horses often rejects from the flat.
Did anyone ever ask themsleves why most other racing nations couldn't be arsed about it?.
Why did the nation take Red Rum, Arkle, Desert Orchid etc etc to their hearts then.
Paul Bittar the new Chief Executive of the BHA from January 2012 must be thinking to himself "Is this really a good idea joining these jokers" Surely it's a step backwards he's taking in his career
Interesting that certain trainers have been looking at substantial land in northern france in the past few weeks.
would like to see the wealthy arab owners pulling the plug now
has a point about not being able to see the furlong pole.
imo if he goes to court he will get his $$$$ back as changes will have to be made to make jockeys be able to see where the furlong pole is.
as for the whip rules tough.
imo if he goes to court he will get his $$$$ back as changes will have to be made to make jockeys be able to see where the furlong pole is.
as for the whip rules tough.
Where has this b0ll0x about not being able to see the furlong pole come from? For years we've heard jockeys say in post race briefings things like "my instructions were to take it up at the furlong pole" (or similar). Now all of a sudden they can't even see the feckin' thing!
What price will you give me that he gets this overturned and gets paid then Gerry???
What price will you give me that he won't zilzal?
The jockey gave it a good ride,he did not beat the horse up,he did not abuse the horse. Those who bought the rule in and those that support it should hang their heads in shame.
Those that bought it in have done their best to destroy the sport,and those that support it can't even see that. A very sad state of affairs
Those that bought it in have done their best to destroy the sport,and those that support it can't even see that. A very sad state of affairs
gerry
if the rules state only 5 times in the last furlong the bha havent got a leg to stand on if the markers arent properly visible
if the rules state only 5 times in the last furlong the bha havent got a leg to stand on if the markers arent properly visible
Of course they're visible! How else have jockeys managed to ride to instructions to "take it up at the furlong pole" for the last couple of hundred years? The excuses being put forward by jockeys (and trainers and owners) for their own failings smack of ever increasing desperation imo.
Well if you are in the middle then you are judging where the pole is!!! Your trainer wont scold you for taking it up 3 yards after but the BHA will!!!
Look on the bright side though..
They might have to cancel the Shergar cup
They might have to cancel the Shergar cup
I'm with GG with that one it's about 10 ft up in the air with a massive 1F on it but the killing part when he watches the repaly he went by and had the race won when he hit him the last time there was no need for it http://bit.ly/oO2Fco
Only been in the UK since Thursday and reminders aplenty why I left in the first place.Everything run by clueless imbecilic cretins.
Even Charniers rancid tipping threads and Berlusconis vote of confidence pales into insignificance compared with the BHAs own goal.[smiley:crazy]
Even Charniers rancid tipping threads and Berlusconis vote of confidence pales into insignificance compared with the BHAs own goal.[smiley:crazy]
Most jockeys know where the pole is with their eyes closed due to the timing.
this one couldn't ,Loughran, still lol at this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by5GvPtwnN8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by5GvPtwnN8
Of course in France (where Soumillon plies his trade), the French racing authorities are much more flexible when it comes to the rule book - just ask Ed Dunlop and the connections of Snow Fairy.
A certain irish jockey knows the post so well he drops his hands when 5 lengths clear in front 
Well if they keep this rule youd have to paint the grass across the course remember it doesnt matter if you are one yard inside.
However i fully expect a backtrack next week
remember it doesnt matter if you are one yard inside.However i fully expect a backtrack next week
Dont count on a backtrack zilzal,Lester had a call this afternoon from the BHA.They want retrospective punishment and mentioned Roberto was a case being discussed.
Just heard he's going to appeal it..fecking sure he is... and it's near 1.01 all bans and fines are rescinded on Monday [:x]
Cornelius Lysaght
#Christophe Soumillon is on BBC5Live Sportsweek (8-45 to 9-45 this week) . .
#Christophe Soumillon is on BBC5Live Sportsweek (8-45 to 9-45 this week) . .
The jockeys saying planned strike not off as so much as 'on hold' and could be on again if peace talks on Monday don't have a 'satisfactory' outcome
Thought Soumillon, who is generally an ar$e, spoke with exceptional sense and articulation today.
Any man who goes to work and is fined £50,000 for trying his best is entitled to appeal.
Christophe Soumillon
15/October/2011 re;Ascot ''The marker is small yet for this small mistake I get a big ban''.... cost's him £50k.
C.S 26/August/2009 re: Andre Farbe ''He's so small you can hardly see him." .. .Cost him about £2 million
15/October/2011 re;Ascot ''The marker is small yet for this small mistake I get a big ban''.... cost's him £50k.
C.S 26/August/2009 re: Andre Farbe ''He's so small you can hardly see him." .. .Cost him about £2 million
this rule is so stupid and unfair.on monday at pontrfract a jockey can hit a horse the same number of times and his fine will be a few hundred quid and a ban.the fine should be the same for each race not reliant on the prize money.
a very good point sinnerman .not one the bha will take note of though...
You think a few hundred quid means the same to the jockeys likely to be winning at Ascot (Soumillon, Murtagh, Spencer & co) as it does those likely to be winning at Pontefract?
most of the top jocks in britain will ride at ponte ..i.e. spencer fallon moore so yes ....
Soumillon made the point today on RUK saying " Im ok I have money but what about other jockeys who have a family" I think he handled it with dignity, not about the money but it questions his proffessionalism in a big race.
sectional timing so dodgy today, quite clear that the furlong markers are in the wrong place.
If Soumillon quick, should go and measure the final furlong and check the stick is 220 yds from winning post and take that to the the Court Of Appeal
If Soumillon quick, should go and measure the final furlong and check the stick is 220 yds from winning post and take that to the the Court Of Appeal
i can see the bha endin up with egg on their faces over this..the animal rights groups must be laughing their socks off .....
Nice one - so if you were in charge of the British legal system you would mete out the same punishment for stealing a bar of chocolate as you would for robbing a bank? Oh and the 'punishment' would be minimal too! No flaws in that system at all imo.
The most worrying aspect was how unprofessional Roy was in interview with Nick Luck today. Huffing and almost sulking. A pathetic face for British racing.
In a sport which is on its knees over scandals like race fixing involving all sorts of un-savoury characters, if this is the highest part of the BHA agenda to question the professionalism of great jockeys like Christophe Soumillon and Richard Hughes, surely and sadly the sport is at a cross roads
In a sport which is on its knees over scandals like race fixing involving all sorts of un-savoury characters, if this is the highest part of the BHA agenda to question the professionalism of great jockeys like Christophe Soumillon and Richard Hughes, surely and sadly the sport is at a cross roads
gerry we all know were you stand re the whip...lets Put it thIs way the bha took £50,000 off a man for tapping a horse once more than he should have according to them...now that is CRIMINAL ..END OF....
I agree DJQ. The whip affair has shown all sides up as totally unprofessional and deeply divided. If 'racing' was a business you certainly wouldn't want to buy shares in it.
workrider
Even though the rules and penalties for transgressing them had been clearly spelt out? Surely in taking part in today's racing at Ascot, the jockeys (Soumillon included) have accepted the terms and conditions of the BHA's contract?
Even though the rules and penalties for transgressing them had been clearly spelt out? Surely in taking part in today's racing at Ascot, the jockeys (Soumillon included) have accepted the terms and conditions of the BHA's contract?
my point gerry is this,you have to have the same punishment whatever the meeting,if i speed in an old banger or in a ferrari the penalty is not based on the price of the car but on the speed.
sinnerman - So you're saying is that all crimes of speeding should acrue the same penalty? With all due respect, I don't think you have a point!
HTF does that make sense. Being banned for an offence in another country that is totally legal in the country you are serving the ban [smiley:crazy]
Those are the risks you should consider beforehand I guess DJQ. In view of today's decision by the Ascot stewards, unless there are some radical changes, it may lead to jockeys from overseas deciding that the risk / reward ratio is simply not favourable enough...
My last point on this today is that if there had been a 'no whip' rule in place at Ascot no jockey would have picked up a ban for trying too hard. Imo, none of the results would have been different either. Night all.
Chris McGrath: Novices at the BHA make a mockery of landmark day
INDEPENDENT.CO.UK
Even among those still vexed by the misapprehensions and vanities that must be shed if the sport's new showcase is to achieve its potential best, it is impossible not to feel sympathy for the organisers of the inaugural Qipco Champions Day at Ascot.
Here we have the richest card in the history of the British Turf, decorated by a colt rated by no less a master than Sir Henry Cecil as without precedent in his experience. And yet the sport's regulators have somehow contrived to spread the rankest ordure across its grand new stage.
By some unaccountable, diabolical folly, the British Horseracing Authority decided to make its highly contentious new whip regulations effective from the start of this same week – giving jockeys just five days to adjust to a radical culture shock before riding Frankel and others at Ascot. Within four, one of the most seasoned and artistic horsemen of his generation had been found guilty of two highly marginal offences under the new regime. His cumulative, 15-day suspension rules Richard Hughes out of the ride on Strong Suit in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs next month.
Hughes surrendered his licence on the spot at Kempton on Thursday, and vowed that we will have seen the last of a superb talent unless the BHA revokes its "barbaric" new penalty structure. There are rumours that his peers may make some kind of protest at Ascot today, and they are certainly intending to withdraw their services from all three meetings scheduled on Monday.
So much for the legacy sought at Ascot today by certain big egos at the helm of the sport. Jolly well done, lads, and by the way, Strong Suit runs in the colours of the young sheikh whose Qatari homeland has underwritten today's big card – far and away the most tangible benefit from controversial revisions to the autumn calendar.
Even before the crisis escalated at Kempton, the BHA had seemed to be looking for trouble in expecting jockeys to alter the habits of years so quickly. Now one of the most intelligent and sympathetic of all riders, Hughes, has given a series of articulate and impassioned interviews after his impromptu gesture of disgust. And all the tap-room talk that might have been devoted to Frankel has instead been claimed by a sport at war with itself.
The unsparing new schedule of punishments was clearly devised as a deterrent, but it has quickly become evident that it is not just the jockeys who needed better opportunity to test the water. For Hughes to miss the Breeders' Cup after two such inoffensive rides seems so preposterous that the BHA has succeeded in turning the majority of industry professionals against it more or less overnight. The adjective chosen by most to describe their mood yesterday was "embarrassed".
Ascot today should have been an occasion for almost unqualified celebration. It is hard to imagine a more auspicious benediction: a horse for the ages, gilded by autumn sunshine on a day that might equally have been blighted by bad weather and worse going. Even those vexed by the fatuous insistence that everyone in the industry has an obligation to "get behind" the ludicrous Champions Series had been thrilled by the depth of the fields today. As things have turned out, we have been given far more alarming grounds for suspecting some fatal disconnection between the grass roots of the Turf and its notional leaders.
It is hardly surprising that these men think they can reach a new audience, whether through new whip rules or a new calendar, when so many among them are novices themselves – some of them interlopers whose self-regard has been lovingly nurtured in very different environments.
So far as the new autumn programme is concerned, today's card demonstrates the goodwill out there, or at least as to the response guaranteed by such enormous purses. For now, however, it remains predicated on a perilous misunderstanding. Anyone with a proper grasp of the international racing and bloodstock industries will recognise that a new climax to the domestic season should not compete with the Arc and Breeders' Cup, but complement them. While a slot in September would bring its own headaches, it would leave scope for those champions that have established local supremacy to meet fresh challenges thereafter. Instead they are being urged to reiterate their stature against familiar opposition.
It seems that every time the sport's leaders claim to see the bigger picture, they end up betraying a lack of perspective instead. And you may be certain that Little Englanders will never make the most of a great racing nation
INDEPENDENT.CO.UK
Even among those still vexed by the misapprehensions and vanities that must be shed if the sport's new showcase is to achieve its potential best, it is impossible not to feel sympathy for the organisers of the inaugural Qipco Champions Day at Ascot.
Here we have the richest card in the history of the British Turf, decorated by a colt rated by no less a master than Sir Henry Cecil as without precedent in his experience. And yet the sport's regulators have somehow contrived to spread the rankest ordure across its grand new stage.
By some unaccountable, diabolical folly, the British Horseracing Authority decided to make its highly contentious new whip regulations effective from the start of this same week – giving jockeys just five days to adjust to a radical culture shock before riding Frankel and others at Ascot. Within four, one of the most seasoned and artistic horsemen of his generation had been found guilty of two highly marginal offences under the new regime. His cumulative, 15-day suspension rules Richard Hughes out of the ride on Strong Suit in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs next month.
Hughes surrendered his licence on the spot at Kempton on Thursday, and vowed that we will have seen the last of a superb talent unless the BHA revokes its "barbaric" new penalty structure. There are rumours that his peers may make some kind of protest at Ascot today, and they are certainly intending to withdraw their services from all three meetings scheduled on Monday.
So much for the legacy sought at Ascot today by certain big egos at the helm of the sport. Jolly well done, lads, and by the way, Strong Suit runs in the colours of the young sheikh whose Qatari homeland has underwritten today's big card – far and away the most tangible benefit from controversial revisions to the autumn calendar.
Even before the crisis escalated at Kempton, the BHA had seemed to be looking for trouble in expecting jockeys to alter the habits of years so quickly. Now one of the most intelligent and sympathetic of all riders, Hughes, has given a series of articulate and impassioned interviews after his impromptu gesture of disgust. And all the tap-room talk that might have been devoted to Frankel has instead been claimed by a sport at war with itself.
The unsparing new schedule of punishments was clearly devised as a deterrent, but it has quickly become evident that it is not just the jockeys who needed better opportunity to test the water. For Hughes to miss the Breeders' Cup after two such inoffensive rides seems so preposterous that the BHA has succeeded in turning the majority of industry professionals against it more or less overnight. The adjective chosen by most to describe their mood yesterday was "embarrassed".
Ascot today should have been an occasion for almost unqualified celebration. It is hard to imagine a more auspicious benediction: a horse for the ages, gilded by autumn sunshine on a day that might equally have been blighted by bad weather and worse going. Even those vexed by the fatuous insistence that everyone in the industry has an obligation to "get behind" the ludicrous Champions Series had been thrilled by the depth of the fields today. As things have turned out, we have been given far more alarming grounds for suspecting some fatal disconnection between the grass roots of the Turf and its notional leaders.
It is hardly surprising that these men think they can reach a new audience, whether through new whip rules or a new calendar, when so many among them are novices themselves – some of them interlopers whose self-regard has been lovingly nurtured in very different environments.
So far as the new autumn programme is concerned, today's card demonstrates the goodwill out there, or at least as to the response guaranteed by such enormous purses. For now, however, it remains predicated on a perilous misunderstanding. Anyone with a proper grasp of the international racing and bloodstock industries will recognise that a new climax to the domestic season should not compete with the Arc and Breeders' Cup, but complement them. While a slot in September would bring its own headaches, it would leave scope for those champions that have established local supremacy to meet fresh challenges thereafter. Instead they are being urged to reiterate their stature against familiar opposition.
It seems that every time the sport's leaders claim to see the bigger picture, they end up betraying a lack of perspective instead. And you may be certain that Little Englanders will never make the most of a great racing nation
"vanities" an excellent choice of word.
Those that run racing actually believe taht the rest of the country give a t0ss about the sport
Those that run racing actually believe taht the rest of the country give a t0ss about the sport
The British media aren't far behind the BHA either in terms of their delusional outlook.
I would rather have the sport run by the journalists from the broadsheets than by the BHA--blazered twits usually w/ a vested interest as owners and no sense of the betting and racegoing public as a stakeholder in the game.
The sport has one overwhelming problem, and it's not the horses, jockeys, trainers, races and tracks. It's how the game is marketed and run--the governance.
The sport has one overwhelming problem, and it's not the horses, jockeys, trainers, races and tracks. It's how the game is marketed and run--the governance.
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