Jockeys will be allowed to use the whip in the forehand position when new rules come into force this month after winning a major concession from the BHA.
Talks were reopened over the already approved changes, which were to restrict riders to using the whip to the backhand position only, after fresh concerns were raised by leading jump jockeys.
As a result the BHA have scrapped the backhand rule but in turn reduced the number of allowed whip strikes by one to six on the Flat and seven over jumps and increased the potential penalties for breaches.
“This change follows additional concerns being raised by jockeys in the last few weeks, including some information which was not aired during the consultation or technical discussion phase,” a statement said.
“This included the feedback that some jockeys who have suffered shoulder or collarbone injuries may find use of the whip solely in the backhand more challenging.”
The BHA insisted the changes did not amount to a watering down of the overall package of whip rules which are due to begin a four week bedding-in period from Monday, January 9, and would achieve “the same outcomes through a different approach”.
Disqualification in races where jockeys exceed the threshold by four or more strokes plus a doubling of penalties in major races will still come into forcee.
BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith said: “The BHA Board had previously endorsed the clear set of objectives set out by the Whip Consultation Steering Group in the summer. They included that the perception of whip use must be improved by ensuring that its use is more judicious and better controlled.
“It became clear through the views raised in the last few weeks, and which were presented to the BHA Board, that the backhand-only rule could potentially have caused difficulties for some riders. However, in considering making changes it was essential that the BHA Board were not doing anything to dilute the outcome of the whip report.
“The BHA Board has therefore agreed these further changes, which resolve the issues with the backhand-only rule, but retain the objective of making whip use visibly more palatable to the public, therefore helping to safeguard engagement with the sport amongst our fans present and future.
“We now hope and expect to see these new rules being respected and a visible change in whip use to be brought about amongst our jockeys, and those riding over here.”
