Britain’s jockeys are preparing to withdraw their labour, on Monday, over drastically altered rules on use of the whip. The news came on a day when the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) charity indicated that they might take a jockey to court if he or she deliberately breaks the rules to win a major race.
The jockeys, most of whom are self-employed, have apparently agreed that they will not ride at the three scheduled fixtures on Monday: at Windsor and Pontefract on the Flat and at Plumpton over jumps. It is likely to be decided, on Saturday, if the meetings can go ahead but the furore is overshadowing the new £3 million British Champions’ Day at Ascot.
The regulators of the sport, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), failed to respond to the jockeys’ move until Friday evening. It is understood that they were considering a suspension of the rules but will instead hold further talks with the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA), in London, on Monday. It is not thought that this will avert the action.
The crisis was precipitated by one senior jockey, in effect, going on strike. Richard Hughes suffered his second ban since the introduction of guidelines, at Kempton Park, on Wednesday night. He immediately announced that he would not ride again unless they were revised.
Hughes remained intransigent on Friday and said that he would not be riding at the showpiece British Champions’ Day on Saturday. He accused the authorities of “setting a trap for us” with the five-strike limit in the final furlong of Flat races when overall hits with the whip are limited to seven.
There were two more suspensions on Friday, making nine since the rules were introduced on Monday. Most jockeys accept a need for reform but object to the surrender of riding fees and win percentages when they breach the rules.
Previous comments made by Hughes on Thursday, indicating that he would willingly break the rules if it meant winning a major race, have prompted the first intervention by the foremost animal welfare group. The RSPCA had cautiously approved the rules but its equine consultant, David Muir, warned of potentially serious legal consequences for any premeditated breach.
“Jockeys are bound by a duty of care under the provisions of the Animal Welfare Bill,” Mr Muir said.
“If anyone deliberately transgresses to win a race, he is breaking the law of the land, not the rules of racing, and we would have to consider taking legal action. When speed cameras were introduced, everyone went mental. But they are still there and people accept them. British racing has had issues with the whip for a long time and we don’t want to be back here in two years’ time.”
Kevin Darley, chief executive of the PJA, said: “We’ve submitted proposals to the BHA.” He insisted that he was not privy to any industrial action by his members. “Most are self-employed and we have no authority over them,” he said.
However, the PJA has a ten-strong board of current jockeys which has formalised the proposed strike.
