The horse racing whip rules in the UK are often a hot topic, with the regulations frequently breached by jockeys in races which can result in horses being disqualified from races and riders’ getting fines and bans.
But just what are the current horse racing whip rules in the UK and how many times can a jockey use their whips in a certain race?
Horse Racing Whip Rules In The UK Vary Between Flat and Jumps Races
Just to confuse things before we’ve even started – the first thing to note about the horse racing whip rules in the UK is that they are slightly different between flat and jumps races.
On the flat, the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) states that a jockey can use their whip a maximum of SIX TIMES.
While a jumps jockey is allowed one more and can use their whip SEVEN TIMES.
UK Horse Racing Whip Rules (From 2022)
- Flat Racing – A jockey can use the whip a maximum of SIX TIMES
- Jumps Racing – A jockey can use the whip a maximum of SEVEN TIMES
These limitations are during the entire race – not just the finish, so if a flat rider uses their whip twice in the first half of a race – they will only be able to use it another four times in a finish.
Of, course, this means in the heat of a race jockeys are now required to keep a mental record of how many times they’ve used the stick – in order to not break the horse racing whip rules, which could lead to the horse being disqualified and the rider getting a ban/fine.
However, when there is a so much at stake in some races – with hundreds of thousands of pounds, not to mention breeding incentives for winning some races – the horse racing whip rules issue has always been a contentious subject.
Why Can Jumps Jockeys Use Their Whip More Times In A Race?
Okay, it’s only one more permitted use (7), but jumps jockeys are allowed more strikes in a race.
The main thinking here is that the bulk of flat races in the UK are between 5f and 1m4f – shorter races than over the jumps.
Whereas National Hunt races will be run over a minimum of 2 miles and anywhere up to 4m+ – with the Grand National these days run over 4m 2 1/2f.
There is also a thinking that over the sticks jump jockeys may need to use the whip a bit more for corrective measures when approaching an obstacle.
WATCH: The UK Horse Racing Whip Rules (from 2022) Explained
DID YOU KNOW? 2022 Grand National Winner – NOBLE YEATS – would have been disqualified based on these new whip rules.
When Did The Current UK Horse Racing Whip Rules Start?
The current horse racing whip rules in the UK came into force in 2022 – see below the main changes that came into force as listed on the BHA site.
Main Whip Change Rules
- The whip can be used a maximum of six times in a Flat race or seven times in a Jump race. Any more than this will prompt the stewards to review the ride
- As well as the number of times the whip is used, The Whip Review Committee will look at the force with which it is used, whether it was used from above shoulder height, whether the horse has been given time to respond, the purpose for which the whip was used, whether the horse was in contention or clearly winning at the time it was used, and whether the whip has been used in the correct place (i.e. on the horse’s hindquarter rather than flanks)
- Any rider found to have contravened the rules or guidance will face a period of suspension, and any rider picking up third suspension in a six-month period will be referred to the Judicial Panel for penalty
- Should the whip be used four times or more above the permitted level, the horse and rider will be disqualified from the race
What Happens If A Jockey Breaks The Whip Rule?
There is a ‘Whip Review Committe’ that has been set up in order to review any potential races and rider offences, where a jockey may have gone over the permitted allowance.
Any jockey that is found to have broken the rules will face a period of suspension decided by the committee, while any rider having three suspensions in a six-month period will then be referred to the Judicial Panel for a further harsher penalty.
If a jockey also uses their whip 4 OR MORE times over the set amount in a race – the horse and rider will be disqualifed from the race.
This is something that hit the headlines in the 2024 running of the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket (12th Oct), when the rider (Jamie Powell) on Alphonse Le Grande was alleged to have used his whip 10 times in winning the race.
Many racing fans then felt this deined the heavily backed Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Manxman in winning as the horse was only beaten by a nose (see below).
This race was referred to the ‘Whips Committee’ – but the hearing wasn’t until Tuesday 15th October and three days after the race which led to many other debates – including the betting and, of course, the prize money for the winning owners.
With regards to the betting, punters that placed bets win bets on Manxman would have lost out – even though there is a strong chance he’ll be awarded the race after the ‘Whip Committee’ mets on Tuesday 15th October 2024.
What Happens About The Betting If A Horse Is Disqualified For A Jockey Breaking The Whip Rule?
As the rules stand at the moment, any jockey found to have used their whip FOUR (or more) times over the limit will face a hearing with the ‘Whip Committee’ and face being disqualified.
However, these meetings are normally done well after the race day – meaning the jockeys have weighed in and the results in terms of the betting is settled.
This would led to punters getting paid out on a winning horse – even if the jockey hit the horse 10+ times – and those that backed the second losing out even though there is a strong chance of the result being amended days after.
It would be a bit like a disallowed goal in football being allowed to stand, the match played out with that goal given – until reviewed three days later with a panel ruling it out.
Most of the best horse racing betting sites in the UK will pay out any horse racing result as ‘first past the post’ and unless there is a stewards’ enquiry that may result in an ameneded result before the jockeys have weighed in – this result will stand in terms in the betting and payouts.
Meaning if there is a results change days after a race – bookmakers WON’T be obliged to pay out on the new winner.
What Are The Horse Racing Whip Rules In Ireland?
In Ireland, jockeys are allowed to use the whip eight times, with a ninth hit prompting an automatic stewards’ enquiry.
What Are The Horse Racing Whip Rules In France?
In France the whip may be used in ANY race (jumps or flat) four times – this was reduced from five on 1st May 2023.
What Are The Horse Racing Whip Rules In America?
In the US, each state will have their own horse racing whips rules.
Most states have no set limits, but in New Jersey jockeys are not allowed to use the whip for encouragement, while in California riders are restricted to six strike per race.