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25 Oct 11
20:13
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
Andrew Thornton urges fellow jockeys not to strike over whip rules
• Senior rider says industrial action would cause more problems
Will Hayler
guardian.co.uk,
Andrew Thornton has urged his fellow riders not to strike against the controversial whip rules, while expressing frustration at the apparent lack of engagement from the British Horseracing Authority. A board member of the Professional Jockeys Association, Thornton undermined suggestions that the BHA and the PJA were working together to reach a resolution to the current difficulties.
"I've a lot of respect for the BHA but please, please, please can we get this sorted because jockeys are getting bans on technicalities and everyone is up in arms about it," he said after riding at Chepstow, where two more of his colleagues were banned for whip use. "There's no discretion allowed for the stewards – in fact, you might as well not have stipendiary stewards any more.
"Personally, I hope nobody goes down the road of strikes because they never solve anything. You drive wedges between jockeys and owners and trainers, who still want to enter their horses, and young jockeys can be put in impossible positions if they want to keep their jobs.
"But why can't we sit down at the table now and sort this out? I've been up since 5am this morning, riding work then off to Chepstow and I won't be home until 8pm tonight but I'd happily drive to London now and sit up until daylight to get the situation resolved.
"Why can't we have a meeting between all the parties, the jockeys and all of the horsemen and the BHA and even the RSPCA and sort it out face to face, rather than conducting our arguments in public? We could meet at Kempton next Monday before racing there. You can't just say 'we're monitoring it' and hope it goes away, because it won't."
There were persistent rumours on Tuesday that Towcester's meeting next Thursday could be targeted by riders angered by the restriction that limits them to using the whip a maximum of eight times in any jumps race. Towcester has attracted the ire of a number of jumps jockeys for its offer to stage a trial of whip-free racing.
The racecourse director, Charlie Brooks, a former trainer, expressed disappointment at the prospect of conflict at his track. "I just don't understand what the fact that Towcester has applied to the BHA to hold a pilot scheme of racing without whips over a trial period has got to do with the situation over the rules," he said.
There have been suggestions that jockeys could reduce one of the Towcester races to the level of farce by all pulling up their horses in mid-race. A BHA spokesman pointed out that such action would be in breach of the rules and could be treated by the stewards as "a matter of some significance".
Ruby Walsh is to appeal against the five-day suspension he received for breaching the rules at Aintree on Saturday, when he used his whip nine times in a race
• Senior rider says industrial action would cause more problems
Will Hayler
guardian.co.uk,
Andrew Thornton has urged his fellow riders not to strike against the controversial whip rules, while expressing frustration at the apparent lack of engagement from the British Horseracing Authority. A board member of the Professional Jockeys Association, Thornton undermined suggestions that the BHA and the PJA were working together to reach a resolution to the current difficulties.
"I've a lot of respect for the BHA but please, please, please can we get this sorted because jockeys are getting bans on technicalities and everyone is up in arms about it," he said after riding at Chepstow, where two more of his colleagues were banned for whip use. "There's no discretion allowed for the stewards – in fact, you might as well not have stipendiary stewards any more.
"Personally, I hope nobody goes down the road of strikes because they never solve anything. You drive wedges between jockeys and owners and trainers, who still want to enter their horses, and young jockeys can be put in impossible positions if they want to keep their jobs.
"But why can't we sit down at the table now and sort this out? I've been up since 5am this morning, riding work then off to Chepstow and I won't be home until 8pm tonight but I'd happily drive to London now and sit up until daylight to get the situation resolved.
"Why can't we have a meeting between all the parties, the jockeys and all of the horsemen and the BHA and even the RSPCA and sort it out face to face, rather than conducting our arguments in public? We could meet at Kempton next Monday before racing there. You can't just say 'we're monitoring it' and hope it goes away, because it won't."
There were persistent rumours on Tuesday that Towcester's meeting next Thursday could be targeted by riders angered by the restriction that limits them to using the whip a maximum of eight times in any jumps race. Towcester has attracted the ire of a number of jumps jockeys for its offer to stage a trial of whip-free racing.
The racecourse director, Charlie Brooks, a former trainer, expressed disappointment at the prospect of conflict at his track. "I just don't understand what the fact that Towcester has applied to the BHA to hold a pilot scheme of racing without whips over a trial period has got to do with the situation over the rules," he said.
There have been suggestions that jockeys could reduce one of the Towcester races to the level of farce by all pulling up their horses in mid-race. A BHA spokesman pointed out that such action would be in breach of the rules and could be treated by the stewards as "a matter of some significance".
Ruby Walsh is to appeal against the five-day suspension he received for breaching the rules at Aintree on Saturday, when he used his whip nine times in a race
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I like going to Towcester, but they started it didnt they.
If there is a strike Towcester deserves to be hit. inde 11KV they have put them all in this position they're in now.
judging by the amount of rain we're likely to get the toaster situation could well prove interesting history.
no 'soap' rivals racing nowadays and were it be converted into a real soap no one would believe such a stupid script could be thought up. it's approaching watergate for intrigue.
no 'soap' rivals racing nowadays and were it be converted into a real soap no one would believe such a stupid script could be thought up. it's approaching watergate for intrigue.
once you get the knee deep ground.....some tracks (Towcester, Carlisle to name 2) may well see no finishers with horses pulling up under jocks unable to use the stick to get them up the hill....its a farce, bans all over the show, a zillion quiet rides going unnoticed and running around for prizemoney unable to pay for the diesel..
time to cut the crap. jockeys strike is the only way to make the bha fools listen. look at the state we are in. will there be any jockeys left to ride come december? back to the way it was. any jockey going "over the top", ban him for a couple of months.
It would be appropriate to strike at Towcester. Striking should be a last resort but if one side refuses to talk then it is the only way left. If they are planning a strike my understanding is that they must have an official secret ballot and give appropriate notice. Otherwise they leave themselves vulnerable. I may not have it exactly correct but they would need to have their facts straight.
towcester may well be appropriate but will it have much effect as a midweek run of the mill meeting. how about a high profile meeting like ascot,newbury or cheltenham on paddy power gold cup day. this would hit home to the authorities and i think the issue would be settled sooner rather than later
Arklearkle. I think you have it wrong. I suspect there is a problem for jocks who have a retainer/contract but otherwise they are self-employed and can choose who they work for.
Yes Salmon you are correct. So any of them with a retainer which I presume is similar to a contract could have a problem but probably surmountable.
Perhaps they ought to consult Graeme McPherson to be on the safe side 
OVERSEAS Joined: 31 Jul 01
Replies: 4891 25 Oct 11 21:32
once you get the knee deep ground.....some tracks (Towcester, Carlisle to name 2) may well see no finishers with horses pulling up under jocks unable to use the stick to get them up the hill..
--------------------------------------------------
THAT IS ACTUALLY THE ANSWER.
The jockeys should NOT strike ....
But, ride in EVERY race at TOWCESTER .... Use up their 8 strikes QUOTA during the earlier part of the races ..... and then ALL simply PULL-UP at the bottom of the hill. -
Saying that they - 'could not encourage the horses to keep racing, and tackle the Towcester hill'.
Replies: 4891 25 Oct 11 21:32
once you get the knee deep ground.....some tracks (Towcester, Carlisle to name 2) may well see no finishers with horses pulling up under jocks unable to use the stick to get them up the hill..
--------------------------------------------------
THAT IS ACTUALLY THE ANSWER.
The jockeys should NOT strike ....
But, ride in EVERY race at TOWCESTER .... Use up their 8 strikes QUOTA during the earlier part of the races ..... and then ALL simply PULL-UP at the bottom of the hill. -
Saying that they - 'could not encourage the horses to keep racing, and tackle the Towcester hill'.
Towcester is the course that lets people in without paying isn't it?
Let's punish the bar stewards for trying to get more people going racing.
But not at a big meeting when the top jocks might lose a sizeable percentage.
Let's punish the bar stewards for trying to get more people going racing.
But not at a big meeting when the top jocks might lose a sizeable percentage.
By Daniel Owens http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news (please don't ask me how i got to reading the Northampton Chron 
)
Published on Wednesday 26 October 2011 07:30
JUMP jockeys are understood to have targeted next week’s meeting at Towcester as the row over the use of the whip continues to escalate.
The storm – which has seen a number of high- profile jockeys banned and lose their share of prize money having been found in breach of tough new legislation limiting the number of times they can hit their horse –has threatened to cripple the industry, with little sign of an agreement in place between the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Professional Jockeys’ Association.
It is believed that jockeys are considering plans to vent their anger against the new rules at next Thursday’s meeting at Towcester.
Details have not been confirmed as to what form the protest will take, but the Chron understands a small-field steeplechase may be targeted, with all jockeys pulling up their horses after reaching the maximum of eight strikes of the whip, rendering the race void and demonstrating what jockeys believe is the need for a relaxation in the rules to allow them to hit their mount more often during a race.
The county track has found itself at the centre of the storm over whip use after it unveiled plans to ban it completely, insisting instead on jockeys riding “hands and heels” only.
The course claims the general public do not want to see the horses whipped at all, but owners, trainers and jockeys have voiced deep-rooted concerns over the proposals and at the last meeting earlier this month, jockeys refused to carry out post-race interviews with the on-course TV crew in protest.
A further protest next week would do little to ease relations between the warring factions and it is hoped a further revision of the rules between now and next Thursday may appease the jockeys and avert any action.
Robin Mounsey, spokesman for the BHA, said: “We are committed to our constant monitoring of the situation and are pleased the majority of jockeys are adhering to them. We are however fully committed to ongoing and constructive dialogue with the PJA on the issue. There are ways of formalising this engagement and all sides should agree that it is not best conducted in public.”
Towcester Racecourse general manager, Kevin Ackerman, was unavailable for comment
)Published on Wednesday 26 October 2011 07:30
JUMP jockeys are understood to have targeted next week’s meeting at Towcester as the row over the use of the whip continues to escalate.
The storm – which has seen a number of high- profile jockeys banned and lose their share of prize money having been found in breach of tough new legislation limiting the number of times they can hit their horse –has threatened to cripple the industry, with little sign of an agreement in place between the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Professional Jockeys’ Association.
It is believed that jockeys are considering plans to vent their anger against the new rules at next Thursday’s meeting at Towcester.
Details have not been confirmed as to what form the protest will take, but the Chron understands a small-field steeplechase may be targeted, with all jockeys pulling up their horses after reaching the maximum of eight strikes of the whip, rendering the race void and demonstrating what jockeys believe is the need for a relaxation in the rules to allow them to hit their mount more often during a race.
The county track has found itself at the centre of the storm over whip use after it unveiled plans to ban it completely, insisting instead on jockeys riding “hands and heels” only.
The course claims the general public do not want to see the horses whipped at all, but owners, trainers and jockeys have voiced deep-rooted concerns over the proposals and at the last meeting earlier this month, jockeys refused to carry out post-race interviews with the on-course TV crew in protest.
A further protest next week would do little to ease relations between the warring factions and it is hoped a further revision of the rules between now and next Thursday may appease the jockeys and avert any action.
Robin Mounsey, spokesman for the BHA, said: “We are committed to our constant monitoring of the situation and are pleased the majority of jockeys are adhering to them. We are however fully committed to ongoing and constructive dialogue with the PJA on the issue. There are ways of formalising this engagement and all sides should agree that it is not best conducted in public.”
Towcester Racecourse general manager, Kevin Ackerman, was unavailable for comment
The owners of the horses will be delighted with the sugestion that the jockeys use up the whip quotas and pull them up at Towcester.Then,still have to pay them a riding fee.
Johnoc99 The same way they don't have to pay them when they get banned for getting their gambles home and using the whip 10 times.
Not everyone who owns horses do so to land a gamble.
A trial of whip-free racing - why? Surely 'trials' have already taken place via the hands n'heels races that have been in existence for some considerable time. I don't recall any backlash - jockeys, trainers, owners, BHA, RSPCA, punters, etc - from these races. I certainly don't recall any void races due to all horses failing to finish either.
In any case, a fair trial of whip-free racing would now be impossible as there's zero likelihood of any jockey doing anything other than engineering his / her horse to pull up on the grounds that "without the whip, I couldn't get any more out of the horse."
In any case, a fair trial of whip-free racing would now be impossible as there's zero likelihood of any jockey doing anything other than engineering his / her horse to pull up on the grounds that "without the whip, I couldn't get any more out of the horse."
Ram, last spring Towcester racecourse management in their bid to get a bit of cheap publicity went out on a limb and said that they were going to have a whipless days racing thus giving the general public the impression that these whips were cruel etc. I hope there is corn growing there by next spring. To be honest I dont like the idea of all the horses having to pull up. Now it appears as your article suggests AD that the BHA does not want things discussed in public. My understanding is that about one week ago the same BHA said publically that it would make the rules and to hell with people like jockeys.
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