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The Jockeys’ Guild: CHRB Whip Rules ‘Are Both Unsafe And Jeopardize The Integrity Of The Sport’

The Jockeys' Guild issued the following statement this weekend after the California Horse Racing Board passed a strict new rule regarding use of the riding crop during races.

The Jockeys' Guild is extremely disappointed by the actions taken by the California Horse Racing Board with regards to the riding crop. Specifically restricting the use of the riding crop to six times in the underhanded fashion throughout the entire race, as well as restricting the type of riding crop that can be used. The industry has a long history of disrespect for jockeys, going back many, many decades. That prevailing attitude was the main reason for the formation of the Guild in 1940. Incredibly, that disrespect continues to this day as evidenced by the CHRB Board and the Chairman failing to engage jockeys and the Guild in any meaningful dialogue. To completely ignore the pleas of the professional jockeys and the Guild, moving forward to adopt the two rules presented Thursday, which are both unsafe and jeopardize the integrity of the sport, is a dangerous precedent.

The jockeys put their lives on the line every day, not the members of the CHRB or those in direct opposition of our sport. And yet, the voices of respected Hall of Fame rider and Jockeys' Guild Co-Chairman Mike Smith, as well as world-renowned and all-time leading money earning Quarter Horse jockey, G.R. Carter, and veteran rider Aaron Gryder, not to mention all of the other California jockeys who voiced their concerns about the proposals, were completely disregarded.

The Guild is deeply troubled by the process. Starting in March of 2019, the Guild has crafted various proposals with regards to the riding crop, which were dismissed, overlooked, and sometimes not even acknowledged. Instead, the CHRB insisted on jamming through the rules rather than even considering the Guild's reasonable and compromising proposals.

Then to add insult to injury, the Chairman of the CHRB, Dr. Greg Ferraro, labeled the jockeys as part of the problem. Chairman Ferraro said, “We're never going to please the jocks. They don't want to do anything but keep the status quo.” Nothing could be further from the truth and is beyond offensive. Over the past decade, the Guild has worked with the other entities in the industry, including the CHRB, and has been more than willing to compromise on issues in the best interest of racing. The Guild was at the forefront of changes to the riding crop after the issues surrounding Eight Belles and the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Furthermore, as stated throughout the whole process, and again yesterday by representatives of the Guild, we completely recognize the need to change the existing use of riding crop rules. The Guild has actively been engaging in meetings throughout the country, not just in California, to establish a uniform rule.

The recent decision on the use of the riding crop is set to fail. It is based on the CHRB's response to perception and as opposed to doing what is right for the industry. The CHRB's decision was done to pacify the radical animal rights organizations and the individuals who have made clear of their intention to abolish racing. Additionally, the Manager of Policy and Regulations for the CHRB inferred that its role was about pleasing Sacramento. This speaks volumes about the CHRB's attitude and subsequent dismissal of what is in the best interest of racing and we believe definitely swayed the vote.

The CHRB Chairman and Board also disregarded statements from representatives of the Guild, as well as Aidan Butler of The Stronach Group, Nick Alexander of the TOC, and Alan Balch of CTT, asking for a limited extension before any adoption of the rule. These requests were made in the hopes of reaching a unified rule, created by all industry participants, which could be adopted throughout the United States. We strongly believe that the implementation of the CHRB rules as presented yesterday will have a detrimental impact on the entire industry, including the owners, betting public, racetracks, and horsemen.

Furthermore, the rule as adopted, only allows for the jockeys to use a crop with a cylinder popper, which as of now is only being made by one company. Its decision fails to consider the jockeys input, including the fact when the jockeys had used it during racing, many broke at the tip and poppers fell off during a race. This riding crop has also proved difficult to use when switching hands. Any proposed changes should have been fully evaluated in the “real world” to access the performance, as well as the effectiveness of the changes, just as has been done in the past. The Guild has repeatedly stated that we have been and will continue to be supportive of improvements made to the equipment, including the riding crops, whether it be the design or material, that are in the best interest of the horse. In order to move forward, the Guild had requested to allow for the use of the existing cushioned riding crop, as well the newly introduced cylinder riding crop. However, the CHRB has continued to refuse to even consider the proposal or engage in conversations with the riders who are most impacted by its decisions.

Unfortunately, it is evident, now more than ever before, that the CHRB does not view jockeys as essential and equal stakeholders in this industry. Instead, we are viewed as second class citizens or even worse. However, the Guild and the jockeys we represent refuse to accept this point of view. We will continue to fight for the livelihoods and safety for our members and the betterment of our sport. In doing so, the Guild will continue to work with the industry and other jurisdictions for a fair national riding crop rule. If California opts to institute its own regulations regarding the riding crop and its usage, it will not be in the interest of racing in the United States.

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The Week in Review: Why Jerry Bailey is No Fan of the Whip

The whip issue, which never seems to go away, was front and center last week as the California Horse Racing Board approved language that would severely limit the use of the whip. Under the new rules, horses can be hit on the shoulders and hindquarters, no more than two times in a row without waiting for a response and no more than six times total.

That led the Jockeys’ Guild to issue a stinging press release that expressed its displeasure with the new rules, calling the new rules “unsafe” and arguing that they “jeopardize the integrity of the sport.” The Guild also said the decision was typical of a sport that “has a long history of disrespect for jockeys, going back many, many decades.”

Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey no longer has a dog in this fight. Though a former president of the Jockeys’ Guild, he’s been retired since 2006. But his opinion should matter. Not only did he ride in over 30,000 races, but, as an analyst on NBC’s racing broadcasts, he has been able to take a step back and observe racing from something other than an insider’s view. Trying his best to understand all sides of the issue, he keeps landing in the same place. Bailey doesn’t agree with his former colleagues. He says racing would be better off if whips were not allowed.

“If I were still riding, I’d probably have a different attitude,” he said. “I was probably a jockey who used the whip more than I should have. I see it from a different perspective now. I see it from somebody on the other side of the fence.”

Bailey agrees with the current riders when they say the new padded whips don’t hurt the horses, but he says the issue is bigger than that. What Bailey sees now, but couldn’t when he was riding, is a sport that has a difficult time explaining to the public why whips are necessary.

“I have heard from many people outside the sport and they say that if those horses really love to run like you say they do, then why do you whip them?” Bailey said. “That’s what I hear. I am not talking about core fans, but many people, people who watch five or six races a year, tell me they find it offensive that horses are being whipped. Are they right or wrong? I don’t know. But that’s what they think and how they feel.”

Bailey said that racing is losing out on the opportunity to cultivate new fans because of the whip.

“If we can do away with the whip and that leads to drawing in fans who are now offended by it, that’s a small price to pay,” he said.

Whips have been part of racing since the beginning because it is assumed that their use can make the horse try harder and run faster. Bailey says that just isn’t the case.

“I have said for probably seven or eight years now, that I only had a very small percentage of horses run faster when hit,” he said. “It only works on a very few. Most horses give you all they have without hitting them. I don’t think the times of races would change much if you didn’t have whips. If everybody were on a level playing field, I don’t think a significant number of horses would be at a disadvantage. I think you would do fine without them.”

The Guild’s chief complaint with efforts to take the whip out of racing is the safety factor. Riders say the sport becomes more dangerous without the whip.

“We will continue to fight for the livelihoods and safety for our members and the betterment of our sport,” the Guild said in its statement.

Again, Bailey does not agree.

“I feel the reins are the best tool to keep your horse straight,” Bailey said. “Absolutely and without a doubt, the reins are your steering mechanism, not your whip. There are jockeys who feel you need the whip as a safety device. If a horse is out of control and is going to go over one fence or another or go over a pack of heels in a race the whip is not going to help you. You need to use the reins in that case. The reins are the tools to use and in my opinion, the whip is not going to do you much good.”

The post The Week in Review: Why Jerry Bailey is No Fan of the Whip appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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CHRB Reallocates Northern California Fair Dates To Pleasanton, Golden Gate

The California Horse Racing Board conducted a meeting by teleconference on Thursday, June 11. The public participated by dialing into the teleconference and/or listening through the audio webcast link on the CHRB website. Dr. Gregory Ferraro chaired the meeting, joined by Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis.

The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief:

The Board approved a regulatory amendment that further restricts the use of the riding crop in both racing and training. The rule prohibits using the crop more than six times in the race, excluding simply showing the crop to the horse or tapping the horse on the shoulder, and within that limit prohibits using the crop more than two times in succession without giving the horse time to respond. The rule cites the proper way for using the crop in an underhanded position without it ever rising above the shoulders of the rider. The rule also prohibits using the crop during training except when necessary for the safety of the horse and rider. Under the required regulatory review process involving other state offices, this rule will not go into effect for several months at the earliest.
The Board approved for 45-day public notice new specifications for construction of riding crops. The regulatory amendment will require all riding crops to be topped by shock-absorbing, smooth foam cylinders, which are demonstrated to be safer for horses
The COVID-19 heath crisis has disrupted racing and fair operations in Northern California, forcing the Board to reallocate dates and approve modifications to racing license applications only for the year 2020. In a compromise supported by racing and fair executives that is designed to meet health protocols, while providing adequate and convenient stabling for horses on the Northern California circuit, the Board approved a revised racing and simulcasting calendar as follows:

At this time envisioned without spectators, the current meet at Golden Gate Fields will conclude (both racing and simulcasting) on June 16. From there racing and simulcasting will move to Pleasanton for the Alameda County Fair meet (June 17 through July 14), continue at Pleasanton for the relocated State Fair meet in Pleasanton (July 15 through July 28), move back to Golden Gate, initially for the relocated Sonoma County Fair meet at Golden Gate (July 29 through August 11), continue at Golden Gate with its own meet (August 12 through October 6), proceed to Fresno for the Big Fresno Fair meet (October 7 through October 20), then finally conclude at Golden Gate (October 21 through December 22). The precise racing dates for each meet (within those allocations) will be determined by the individual license applications. All meets will operate with protocols approved by their county heath officials. Golden Gate will continue to provide stabling during the Alameda County and Fresno fairs.

Reflecting the approved date allocations, the Board approved the license application for the Alameda County Fair to run a fair meet in Pleasanton with racing set to begin June 19 and continue through July 12, conditioned on submission of specified required documents to the CHRB. At this time Alameda County health officials have not given approval for public participation.
The Board approved the license application for the California Exposition and State Fair to run a fair meet in Pleasanton with racing set to begin July 17 and continue through July 26, conditioned on submission of specified required documents to the CHRB. At this time Alameda County health officials have not given approval for public participation.
The Board approved the license application for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to run a race meet in Del Mar with racing set to begin July 10 and continue through September 7. At this time San Diego County health officials have not given approval for public participation.
The Board approved separate agreements between the California Authority of Racing Fairs and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club with the Thoroughbred Owners of California authorizing the racing secretary for the State Fair meet at Pleasanton and the racing secretary for the Del Mar meet to establish conditions for races. The agreements prohibit anti-bleeding medication (Lasix) in 2-year-olds, limit Lasix to 250 mg, prohibit any intra-articular medication within 14 days of a race, and extend that prohibition to 30 days for fetlock injections, both metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints.
The Board suspended Rule 1845(h) during the Del Mar meet, which required that syringes used to administer furosemide on race day be retained.
The Board approved a regulatory amendment requiring individuals to hold an Assistant Trainer license in good standing for one year as a prerequisite for a Trainer license.
The Board adopted a rule strictly limiting the use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on racehorses. The new rule prohibits any horse from racing or participating in timed workouts in the mornings within 30 days of such treatment. As is currently CHRB policy, ESWT can only be administered in clearly designated areas, and each treatment must be carefully documented. Furthermore, no horse that received ESWT elsewhere within the previous 30 days can be brought onto a CHRB-regulated facility without prior approval of the Official Veterinarian. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is otherwise permitted within the restrictions of the regulation. Violations of the regulation will carry a Category A penalty, which is a minimum one-year suspension and $10,000 fine.
The Board permanently adopted the existing emergency regulation allowing the Board to suspend a race meet license when necessary to protect horses and riders.
Extensive public comments made during the meeting can be accessed through the meeting audio archive on the CHRB website. The written transcript for the meeting will be posted when available.

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California Workers’ Compensation: Owners Per Start Fee Going Up

The unfortunate combination of seven weeks of no live racing coupled with statewide increases in workers' compensation costs in have created a funding shortfall for the California horse industry's workers' compensation program covering jockeys and backstretch workers that is operated by Post Time Self Insurance. As a result, Post Time has found it necessary to increase the amounts to he paid by both owners and trainers, which fund the majority of program costs via per-stall charges from trainers and race per-start fees from owners.

The owners' per-start fee will be raised from $120 to $149 effective July 1, 2020. The per-start fee will continue to be automatically deducted from the owner's paymaster account every time they start a horse.

To offset increased workers' compensation per-start increases and provide additional financial support to California owners, TOC authorized an increase in the Guaranteed Participation Purses earlier this year from $351 to $500 per start in Southern California and from $300 to $450 at Golden Gate Fields.

Guaranteed participation purses are paid to owners of horses competing in all races in which their horses do not finish first through fifth. They are designed to help owners cover core costs involved in getting their horses to the races – such as the mandatory vet exam fee required by the CHRB. Horses finishing sixth and beyond (and to fifth place finishers when their share of purse money is less than the corresponding Guaranteed Participation Purse) are paid $500 to start in Southern California and $450 to start Northern California.

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