Jim Crowley handed 20-day ban and fined £10,000 for overuse of the whip on King George winner Hukum

Jim Crowley has been suspended for 20 days and fined £10,000 for his winning ride on Hukum in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes having used his whip nine times during the race, three times above the permitted level.

Rob Hornby, who partnered King George second Westover, also received a ban for overuse of the whip. Hornby used his whip one time above the permitted level, which would have previously incurred an eight-day ban due to the race being a Class 1. However, an easing of penalties announced by the BHA on Monday means the rider will only be suspended for four days having not had a whip penalty in over 200 rides in Britain.

Speaking before the penalty was announced, Crowley, who will be suspended for the Ebor festival at York, said he did not believe the punishment he was going to receive fitted the crime and stressed discontent remains among his colleagues over the new rules.

However, a spokesman for the BHA said there was "very little justification" for the use of the whip by Crowley in the closing stages of the King George and that hefty penalties were needed to "safeguard the perception of the sport [and] maintain fairness in close finishes".

Crowley said: "Neither me or Rob had any idea we had gone over the count, which is the worrying thing. We got back to the stewards' room and got a tap on the shoulder, and straight away that feeling of dread came over you.

"We're aware of the whip rules and the severity of them, and it's in your mind, but you're also keeping control of your horse's momentum, rhythm and avoiding interference.

"You're really in the zone and it's very difficult to be counting the strikes when you're in that scenario."

Hukum (near) narrowly prevailed over Westover in the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

There was just a head between Hukum and Westover at the finish and Crowley compared the situation to other sports when trying to explain the complexity of keeping to the rules in the heat of battle.

"Imagine you are driving a racing car around the track going at high speed, you have cars around and you're trying not to touch bumpers," said Crowley on ITV. "Then all of a sudden you're counting as well as a million things going on.

"If you're one length clear, it's easier to do, but in that scenario it's very, very difficult and hard to explain. It could be a tennis player in a Wimbledon final going back and forth in a rally, you're not counting numbers in your head.

"The rules are the rules and we accept that but I don't think my punishment is going to fit the crime and it will be tough to swallow. It was a mistake we went over but neither of us went out there with a win at all costs mentality.

"Some riders were consulted about the rules before they were enforced but I can guarantee there's not a single jockey in the weighing room who agrees with the rules."

Jim Crowley's ride on Hukum (right) was only the second time a jockey had used the whip three times above the permitted level since the new rules were introducedCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Asked later whether he would appeal against the suspension, Crowley told Racing TV: "I haven't had chance to discuss it with anyone else, I found out just now and I'll let it sink in."

The BHA said there had been more than 23,500 Flat rides since the new whip rules were introduced in March, and that Crowley's ride on Hukum was only the second time a jockey had used the whip three times above the permitted level.

A spokesman said: "The use of the whip in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was not reflective of the riding we have generally seen in major races since the introduction of the new rules. For example, the Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom and Royal Ascot meetings have all taken place this year without a single rider using the whip above the permitted level on a winning ride.

"Specific thresholds for whip use is now standard policy among most major racing nations, including all of our nearest neighbours.

"On Saturday the whip was used three times above the permitted level on the winner, for which there is very little justification. It is to deter whip use like this that strict penalties are in place, especially in major races. They are designed not only to safeguard the perception of the sport, but also maintain fairness in close finishes, encouraging riders to stay within the rules, in the interest of the betting public and fellow riders."

On Monday, the BHA revealed a number of amendments to the whip rules in Britain. The changes included jockeys being able to have their suspension for using the whip above the permitted level reduced by up to 50 per cent if they had ridden 200 times on the Flat, or 150 times over jumps, in Britain since their last sanction. The doubling of penalties was also dropped for Class 2 races worth less than £150,000, unless restricted to apprentices, conditionals or amateurs only.

The amendments were described as "a step in the right direction" by the Professional Jockeys Association, but were criticised for being too lax by the RSPCA on Tuesday.

Emma Slawinski, RSPCA director of policy, said: "The RSPCA is concerned this announcement is a weakening and loosening of the BHA's already inadequate whip rules. We were already very disappointed that the BHA retained the use of the whip to drive horses forward for so-called encouragement, and now this announcement appears to be a further watering down where once again, horse welfare finishes last."

Read more . . .

'Utter disgrace' - Shadwell's Angus Gold blasts whip rules as speculation mounts Jim Crowley faces ban for Hukum ride 

'We're confident we can get him ready at home' - Hukum camp set sights on Arc after King George heroics 

Penalties for controversial new whip rules eased following review with senior riders 

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