Whip punishments to get harsher suggests BHA chief executive Nick Rust

Nick Rust, chief executive of the BHA, has given a strong indication whip penalties will be increased, and hinted he is considering the implications of use of the stick being restricted to safety purposes.

Rust was speaking at the National Association of Racing Staff's (Nars) AGM in Lambourn on Wednesday evening, when he outlined the challenges racing faced in modern society.

He was asked by a member of the audience about the whip and whether it would be banned in training if it was not permitted on course.

He referred to Hayley Turner's Royal Ascot victory on Thanks Be, an effort that incurred a nine-day suspension and a £1,600 fine for breaking whip rules.

Some have called for harsher punishments, including the filly's trainer Charlie Fellowes, who thought his winner should have been disqualified.

Rust did not go that far, but said: "I don't know if the whip will be banned, but I think we can't stick with the status quo. Hayley Turner made a comment after she won at Royal Ascot that the fine wouldn't have made any difference to her.

"I'm not having a go at Hayley, but the situation where that's the case and riders in big races are effectively riding at all costs is where the issue is very public because those are the big races. We have to do something about that and I'm pretty certain as a minimum we will be taking much stronger action there."

Hayley Turner: Thanks Be ride incurred a ban at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Replying to the question, he added: "If the sport decided to go down the route of removing the whip for encouragement – I can't see it being removed completely as you need it for safety – then what would we say about what goes on at home?

"Probably that we'd discourage it at home, but when I see horses in training and working there is no use of the whip for encouragement. It's generally for safety.

"We would have to monitor that and couldn't have a situation where we'd say it's not acceptable on the track, but it is at home."

Rust also spoke of the industry's need to keep up with changing perceptions people had towards animals.

"Welfare is probably the biggest threat to our sport," he added. "Last Thursday in Saratoga the US Jockey Club announced they were recommending to the 38 racing states that the whip be removed for encouragement.

Nick Rust: 'Last Thursday in Saratoga the US Jockey Club announced they were recommending to the 38 racing states that the whip be removed for encouragement'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"You've seen the whip debate in the media and we've announced that we are reviewing the use of the whip. I can't see staying still as being an option and we need to make sure we make the right decision for the sport.

"We're still trying to progress and modernise and get to where the sport deserves to be. There are nine million people in Britain who have a bet on our sport every month.

"We have two dedicated racing channels and ITV's coverage. It's a big sport, a big industry, and we need to live up to where our sport is.

"It needs to be relevant to young people coming in. Not just to work in the sport, but to follow it. According to a survey recently, 98 per cent of people under the age of 30 have never seen a horse in the flesh in Britain – that's the background we're up against trying to run this sport."

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