Joakim Lövgren drove his trainee Picadilly at Jägersro in April, after which veterinarians noticed marks on the horse's body consistent with whip use. By rule, the veterinarians must report those marks to the county board in which the races were held.

The board responded with a $420 fine and a 10-day suspension for Lövgren, as well as the one-year ban from using the whip.

Sweden has some of the strictest whip use regulations in the world, and the harness racing governing body, Svensk Travsport, is diligent about punishing those who break those regulations. Nonetheless, the local government decided to hand down a major whip ban, a decision which could have worldwide implications for horse racing if other governments follow suit.

Read more at Harness Racing Update.

The post Sweden: Local Government’s Ban On Driver’s Whip Use Could Set Dangerous Precedent appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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