Johnny Ward - 'The word 'whip' is misleading it brings up images of cruelty'

At this year’s Cheltenham Festival, a number of Irish jockeys were handed substantial whip bans.

J.J. Slevin was hit with a 14-day ban and a £3,400 fine for going two strikes above the permitted level on his ride on Home By The Lee.

Patrick Mullins got eight days for going one above, the same as Shane Cotter and Sean Flanagan.

On this week’s Irish Angle show, Paddy Flood and Johnny Ward gave their views on the whip rules.

Paddy Flood not in agreement with whip rules

Former jockey and coach Paddy Flood said: “I suppose for the Irish jockeys, with the rules being different, it’s probably a bit harder. But this rule hasn’t just come in, it’s been around for a while.

“I remember when it was first introduced, a good few lads were getting coaching to make sure they didn’t go over.

“The issue is, if you go one or two over, you might lose the race. Personally, I don’t agree with the rules at all.

“The minute you put a number on strikes, you’ve kind of ruined the whip altogether.

“I’m not necessarily in favour of the whip, but I don’t think anyone watching Home By The Lee thought that horse was abused - he wasn’t.

“With the modern cushioned whip, it doesn’t hurt much anymore.

“When you think about it, you’re dealing with an animal weighing hundreds of kilos, with huge muscle mass.

“But the rules are there now. I don’t agree with them, but the jockeys are experienced enough to know that if you break the rules, you pay the penalty. It’s there in black and white.

“You can’t criticise the stewards, the rules are in place. The English jockeys ride under them all the time, and the Irish riders knew the situation. They just didn’t adhere to it.”

The term 'whip' is outdated

Journalist Johnny Ward added: “Would this actually stop you doing the same thing again at Cheltenham next year?

“I understand what the authorities are trying to do with the whip rules, but even the word “whip” is misleading, it brings up images of cruelty, which isn’t the reality.

“What we’re talking about is a small piece of rubber that doesn’t hurt the horse. So the terminology is wrong.

“I think the whole thing is a bit of a nonsense, but the rules are there.

“Eight days for one strike over in the heat of Cheltenham, what’s that really going to achieve?

“I’d put it this way: if you asked me whether I’d rather ride a Cheltenham winner or take an eight-day ban, I’d take the ban every time. A Cheltenham winner is worth that, no question.

“The problem is the strike limit: once you set a number, you lose the ability to judge each situation.

“You can’t say: “That horse needed encouragement there.” You see horses like Home By The Lee pricking their ears, looking around, they’re not affected by the whip. It’s often more about the noise than anything else.

“If a jockey is skilled with the whip, it’s more about technique, where and how it’s used.

“I’d have an issue if a horse was being struck on the ribs, because that can hurt, they’ll curl up under you.

“But hitting on the rump is a different matter. A horse like Home By The Lee would scratch himself harder against a post at home than what he’d feel from the whip in a race.

“By setting a strict number, the stewards have lost discretion. They can’t say: “That made sense in the context of the race.”

“Whether it’s a young, inexperienced horse or a seasoned one running honestly, the same rule applies.

“Once the number is there, that’s it, there’s no flexibility.

“It’s made things very black and white for the stewards. Once the number is set, there’s not much they can do.”