Could there be a time when there are no whips in jump racing?
The National Steeplechase Association is testing out a new policy for their training flat races, which don’t usually carry a purse and are used primarily as a pipe opener for stakes horses. The new policy would allow the jockeys in these races to carry a whip but would restrict them to only using it as a correction, for instance if a horse moves over on another horse.
Pete McGivney, NSA general manager, said there have been a lot of studies about whip use, especially in the stretch.
“This is more a public relations approach,” McGivney said. “There hasn’t been an incident or a situation. We have fines and warnings in place if a jockey uses a whip in excess. This was brought up in several safety meetings, so now we are going to try the ‘no whip’ approach in our training flat races.”
Officials will be looking for infractions.
“We will have to see how it goes before applying it to jump racing,” McGivney said. “There are countless articles and studies out there about using a whip and whether or not it really does help in the stretch. Obviously, no one wants to see an overuse of the whip on a horse. We’re trying to change the public’s perception of the whip.”
The new policy is getting a mixed reaction from jockeys.
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Matt McCarron has been riding races since 1992 and topped NSA rankings in 2004 and 2005.
“As far as professional jockeys are concerned,” he said, “it’s not a good rule. It’s overkill. I think we [professionals] are sensible enough not to overuse our sticks.”
Chip Miller, who also trains ’chasers, started riding NSA races in 1991 and is one of the top all-time leading jockeys, still riding, with more than 200 wins.
“I can honestly say that a whip only helped on about five horses that I have ever sat on,” Miller said. “It’s a genetic trait in horses to be competitive and try their hardest for you, but most accidents happen when a horse is tired. Turning your sick over on them does not help make them less tired.
“Take a horse like Zenyatta,” Miller added. “It’s always been about her, how she runs, letting her decide when to go. They have always put her first, what was in her best interest. Steeplechasing needs to start making the horse the central player too. It’s not about the owner, the trainer or the jockey. It’s about the horse. We can be selfish and shallow human beings; that needs to change. Getting rid of the whip is a good start.”
The NSA has already adopted the British racing policy of making the ProCush whip mandatory. The ProCush was designed to be more humane and is more bark than bite.
