jumps racing | Horse Racing Free Tips

French Whip Use Reduced By One Strike Beginning On May 1

The number of strikes with the whip a jockey is allowed to use over jumps and on the Flat in France has been reduced from five to four beginning on May 1, France Galop announced on Wednesday.

There will be an educational and transitional period from Mar. 1 to Apr. 30 to allow jockeys to acclimate to the new regulations. The sanctions currently in place regarding overuse of the whip will be applied through Apr. 30. The aim is to gradually reduce the use of the whip, and the system will be reviewed at the end of 2023.

The following are specifications that apply to the manner and the number of times a whip can be used:

Using the whip on the shoulder or neck of the horse when the jockey does not have both hands on the reins counts towards the permitted number of strikes.
It is at the discretion of the stewards to decide if a jockey has used his/her whip clearly and unequivocally for safety reasons (correcting the horse's trajectory) rather than misused it.
The stewards will consider it a misuse offence (according to article 171 of the Racing Code) when a jockey uses his/her whip one or more times even though his/her mount was no longer able to improve or was out of contention (it is a misuse even if the jockey has used his/her whip below the authorised number).
Using the whip above shoulder height is considered a misuse offence.

Increased penalties will come into effect on May 1, as well, with specific penalties applying to group races. For the full details regarding penalties for whip offences after the new rules come into effect, and for more information on the new rules, please go to the France Galop website.

The post French Whip Use Reduced By One Strike Beginning On May 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bedding-In Period For New Whip Rules For Jumps Racing Extended By A Week

The bedding-in period for the new whip rules in Jumps racing has been extended by one week, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed on Friday. This follows a meeting between the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and a selection of jockeys.

The extension, requested by jockeys and the PJA, was granted on account of the number of cancelled fixtures last week due to the frozen ground. The full implementation of the new rules for Jumps racing will begin on Feb. 13. The start of the bedding-in period for Flat racing remains Feb. 27, as does the Mar. 27 full implementation date for Flat racing.

The post Bedding-In Period For New Whip Rules For Jumps Racing Extended By A Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Racing Cancelled At Auteuil Due To Wage Dispute

Jumps racing at Auteuil Racecourse in France was cancelled on Sunday due to an industrial dispute between France Galop employees and trade union members. The eight-race card included a listed race and a pair of Grade 2 races. The disagreement led to a demonstration in the parade ring. Although an emergency meeting was called to resolve the issue, a resolution was not reached and later talks between the two parties were also unsuccessful. After these efforts failed, the meeting was abandoned.

“It's very frustrating for me and for everybody, a lot of these trainers have come a long way,” French Champion Jumps Jockey James Reveley told Sky Sports Racing.

“We don't really know when they're going to run the meeting or whether it's going to be later on in the week, but it requires so much organisation and it's just really frustrating.

“You get used to it and in fairness I've been over here a while and you just have to deal with it, it's a shame as there's other ways of making things happen.

“I heard they're wanting a 4%, I don't know if that's true but it is hard for people to make ends meet, I suppose, with inflation at the moment.

“Today was a big day with horses having their prep races for the big weekend, the top 4-year-old chase was today and they won't want to put it too far back or too close to the big meeting.”

The post Racing Cancelled At Auteuil Due To Wage Dispute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

UK National Hunt Champions Crowned At Sandown

The 2021/22 UK Jumps Champions were crowned during the bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Brian Hughes, who became only the fourth NH jockey to ride a double century of winners in a season, was named the UK Champion Jumps Jockey for a second time. His win total sits at 204, 99 ahead of Sam Twiston-Davies in second.

Hughes, who won the title in 2019/20 said, “It is something at the start of the season I set out to try and do and it is great that it has come. I've never thought it was signed and sealed and I never wanted to let any sort of complacency set in. I just wanted to keep my head down and keep doing what I have done all season, so I haven't ever accepted that it was happening until it did.”

The Champion Conditional Jockey was Kevin Brogan. Trainer Paul Nicholls and owner JP McManus were once again awarded year-end titles by earnings-their 13th and 15th, respectively.

“It's been tougher [to win the big races] this year but every year is tough. In recent years I've either been neck and neck with Willie [Mullins] or Nicky, but this year it's a bit more relaxed and I can enjoy the day,” said Nicholls.

“I knew we were going to be quiet at Cheltenham but we had a good Aintree with some nice winners there and the horses are flying again now.

“I might have turned 60 recently, but there are absolutely no thoughts from me about retiring. I love what I'm doing and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I've no plans to cut back–I love it.”

The post UK National Hunt Champions Crowned At Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post