Irish Racing to Not Follow Lead on Stricter Whip Rules

There is no desire from the Irish Jockeys Association or Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to amend whip rules in Ireland after significant changes were recommended in Britain.

Proposals for possible disqualification when hitting a horse four times above the permitted level, as well as using the whip only in the backhand position, will mean Irish-based riders face a very different set of rules when they cross the Irish Sea.

Given Irish-trained horses have won 41 of the last 56 races at the Cheltenham Festival it is sure to be a major factor come next March and indeed for all major festivals.

However, Irish Jockeys Association secretary Andrew Coonan said riders were already adapting to different whip rules when riding in other international jurisdictions and he did not believe the move would cause issues for Irish riders competing in Britain.

"I don't think it's a huge obstacle because each weekend we see jockeys travel to the likes of France, Britain, and America, where there are varying rules in terms of numbers," Coonan said.

"Our association discusses whip-related matters on a regular basis with the IHRB and we're relatively satisfied at the moment as to where we are. We were aware this review was coming up and there wasn't an immediate call from the IHRB or riders that we wanted to adopt anything the UK is considering bringing in."

Coonan added: "I think there's a well-established system now, which took some time to get used to in terms of modifications and numbers, and that has bedded in quite well. There is always room for discussion and debate, but I think at the moment we have it pretty right."

Niall Cronin, communications manager for the IHRB, said there were no plans in place to alter the current whip rules in Ireland and added that no review would be taking place in the short term.

Cronin said: "There are no major plans for any changes on the agenda at the moment. We constantly review all elements of everything we do, and that includes what happens on a raceday and stewarding but, no, we have no intention of reacting to this."