Mixed reception for Towcester's plan to ban whips in their races
The British Horseracing Racing Authority was non-committal in its response to Towcester Racecourse’s intention to have all 'hands and heels’ racing with extremely limited use of the whip from October onwards.
Sceptical: Trainer Nicky Henderson says he can't see the plan coming to fruition Photo: GETTY
By Marcus Armytage 7:12PM BST 22 Apr 2011
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However, it did stress that such a move could only happen with the authority’s permission and agreement.
News of Towcester’s plans, delivered in a letter to the BHA on Thursday, brought widely differing views within the sport.
On a rare day off with no racing on Good Friday, thousands of racing fans visited Lambourn Open Day where among the attractions was a schooling session in which John Francome, the former Champion Jockey and now Channel 4 Racing pundit, jumped a horse upsides AP McCoy who will, today, be crowned Champion for the 16th time at Sandown.
Great friends and in perfect unison on horseback, their views on the subject could not have been more contrasting. “It’s a shame,” said Francome, “that it has taken a racecourse to do what the BHA should be doing. I’m all for what Towcester are doing and if it doesn’t work out they can always revert. I’d be surprised if people don’t think you get a more exciting finish with no whips.”
McCoy, on the other hand, insists it is the BHA’s job to make the rules and this would not be a good one.
The BHA have been put in a difficult position by this surprising development in the debate and it is likely to be a case of damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
The BHA had begun a review of whip rules even before this year’s Grand National in which Jason Maguire’s use of the whip prompted a major public outcry. They are looking at what is acceptable and taking views from within the sport as well as from those who watch and bet on racing. They will also seek, through polling and surveys, to gauge public perception although they gave no timescale for the conclusion.
Paul Struthers, their spokesman, pointed out that the BHA are under no illusion as to the importance of their findings. “It’s a crucial issue for the sport,” he added, “to get to grips with and it is vital we get it right. Towcester’s request will be looked at as part of the wider review.”
Following in Towcester’s footsteps is certainly not on the agenda at Cheltenham, the home of British steeplechasing. Robert Waley-Cohen, who shortly takes over as chairman of Cheltenham and owns this year’s Gold Cup winner Long Run, said: “Whatever the changes it is essential that it [the Rule] is hard and fast. It’s not really fair to leave it to the discretion of the local stewards. If it is three hits with the stick or whatever, it needs to be so clear cut that people who have backed the 'winner’ know that it will be disqualified. The BHA have also got to come up with a punishment that fits the crime. We certainly have no intention of requesting hands and heels racing at Cheltenham.”
Nicky Henderson, whose Master Fiddle won a recent hands and heels hurdle at Newbury, doubted whether Towcester’s plan would ever come to fruition. “I can’t believe it’ll be a runner,” he said. “The 'hands and heels’ series for young riders has been a success, but I’ve watched a couple lately and it’s noticeable how difficult it is to ride a horse for a long way without that extra bit of persuasion.
“Obviously the welfare of the horse is paramount and no one wants to see horses abused, but I still think there’s room for responsible use of the whip within the sport.”
Finding a compromise to suit everyone, it seems, will not be easy. There appears to be very little middle ground.
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