First phase of whip review concludes with more than 2,000 submissions received

The ten-week trawl for views and opinions on the current rules and penalties surrounding the use of the whip in British racing came to an end at midnight on Monday, with the BHA announcing that it has received more than 2,000 individual submissions through a detailed online questionnaire.

Racing professionals and interest groups along with members of the public have all participated in the first stage of a wide-ranging review designed to inform the ongoing debate around the use of the whip for encouragement.

The current rules allow for eight strokes of the whip at any time during a jumps race and seven on the Flat, with a system of fines and suspensions triggered for exceeding the prescribed number as well as for incorrect use of the whip, repeat breaches of the rules and carrying a non-standard or modified whip.

As part of the lengthy questionnaire, participants were offered the chance to volunteer themselves for the second phase of focus groups and more detailed discussion, while the responses will be subjected to data analysis by an independent expert.

The formation of a panel of industry experts, the Whip Consultation Steering Group, was announced back in back in May under the chairmanship of David Jones – former chair of the stewards' panel and an independent regulatory director with the BHA – and which features the likes of trainers John Gosden and Henry Daly, as well as jockeys PJ McDonald and Tom Scudamore.

Trainer Henry Daly is one of the horsemen who will serve on the Whip Consultation Steering GroupCredit: Edward Whitaker

The group will begin considering the evidence from the public consultation, focus groups and data analysis next month. Any recommendations will then go back to racing's wider stakeholders for further discussion this winter, and the final report is due before the BHA board and then on to publication in February 2022.

Should there be any changes to the rules the proposed timeline envisages a bedding-in period before full implementation next spring.

The BHA's chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea said: "We're extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to submit their views as part of this open consultation. The views submitted through this process will now be assessed, and will play their part in shaping any proposals which are made by the Whip Consultation Steering Group as part of an open and transparent process."

The most recent change to the whip rules in Britain was undertaken in September 2011 following the work of a group chaired by Andrew Merriam, while a new review into use of the whip was one of the key recommendations laid out in the Horse Welfare Board's four-year strategic report entitled A life Well Lived.

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