BHRC are introducing new whip rules for the 2021 season. All drivers should familiarise themselves with the new rules.

To replace M9, M10, M11

Drivers shall only use an approved whip. This being flexible, of standard construction either black or tan, with a fiberglass core covered in linen with a handle and snapper. The whip shall not exceed 48 inches/ 125 cm in length and the snapper shall not to exceed 7 inches / 17cm in length and must made of standard construction NOT knotted. No whip shall be modified in any way and damaged whips must not be used under any circumstances. No other device is to be used. List of currently approved whip manufactures Walsh, Finntack, Yonies, Westfield. This list is non exhaustive and subject to change at any time. No rawhide whips to be used

For saddle / monte races then any whip used must be one approved for use by the BHA either for national hunt or flat racing. Any whip deemed by the stewards unsatisfactory shall be confiscated by the stewards.

The driver shall only use the whip by means of a flicking motion of the wrist, whist keeping one rein in each hand keeping a good contact with the horses bit. There should be no shoulder action engaged. The flicking motion shall be used so that no force is generated from the movement of the elbow or shoulder. The forearm should not be raised more than 45 degrees to the track. The whip must not be used with excessive, abusive force The whip may be carried over the shoulder when not in use but when brought forward may not be used for 10 metres.

The following is a list of unapproved uses of the whip, these are not exclusive and may be added to or changed:

• Using the whip excessively, continuously without giving the horse time to respond
• Using the whip on a horse that is:
• Not responding
• Is not in contention
• Cannot maintain or improve it’s position
• Is clearly winning
• Has passed the winning line
• Lengthening the reins i.e. loose-lining, regardless of whether whip is being used
• Using the butt end of the whip in a prodding or jabbing fashion
• A driver shall not use a whip which causes injury to a horse
• The whip shall not be used outside the confines of the shafts and wheel discs shall not be hit. No sideways motion to be used.

No person shall offer inducement to, or instruct a driver to use the whip contrary to the above rules The only evidence relied on shall be from the official video, veterinary evidence and stewards evidence

Penalties

Up till 1st July 2021 only warnings to be issued (to be determined by when the season commences due to Covid19 ) Only 1 warning will be issued after that the 1st offence penalty starts

Whip demerit points only refer to breaches of the whip rule these are also referred to as WDP If found using a non approved, or modified whip automatic £100 fine, 20 days driving suspension

• 1st Offence £50 fine or 10% of 1st prize money (whichever is greater), and 2 whip demerit points
• 2nd Offence £100 fine or 10% of 1st prize money (whichever is greater), and 2 whip demerit points
• 3rd Offence £150 fine or 10% of 1st prize money (whichever is greater), and 2 whip demerit points
• 4th Offence £200 fine or 10% of 1st prize money (whichever is greater), and 2 whip demerit points
• 5th Offence £250 fine or 10% of 1st prize money (whichever is greater), and 2 whip demerit points
• 6th Offence £300 fine or 10% of 1st prize money (whichever is greater), and 2 whip demerit points

These offences will be accrued over 365 days from the date of the offence, each offence being removed from the drivers licence on the 366th day after the offence. On accruing 12 whip demerit points the drivers licence will be suspended for 28 days. It will be the drivers responsibility to inform the secretary when each 365 day period is completed. Suspension to start 8 days from ruling. In cases where it is deemed that the whip has been used with severe / extreme force, for example, the horse has welts or whip marks or blood has been drawn, the horse shall be examined by the track vet who shall report their findings directly to the stewards who alongside official video evidence will hold a hearing into the incident. If found guilty of the offence, the penalty will be: £1500 fine AND 20% of the TOTAL prize fund and 28 days driver suspension.

This rule would also come under a retrospective stewarding process whereby the footage of the days racing must be made available to an independent BHRC director / steward within 24 hours to be reviewed and any infringements of the whip rule will be reported to the BHRC office within 7 days of the race meeting, where by the licence holder will be contacted by the secretary via text and email with the findings , rule breached, and the penalty, if requested there can be a full hearing at the next available opportunity, for example the next race meeting. After 14 days the details will be published on the BHRC website. Offences will be viewed on the number of demerit points (WDP) on the driver’s licence using the following scale:

• 2 WDP 1st Offence
• 4 WDP 2nd Offence
• 6 WDP 3rd Offence
• 8 WDP 4th Offence
• 10 WDP 5th Offence
• 12 WDP 6th Offence

Any driver accruing 12 WDP who serves a 28 day suspension on returning to driving will have all WDP reduced to zero (0) We advise all drivers to watch the following video which demonstrates the ‘wrist only flicking motion’ HRA Whip Action Video