Mixedwave (Ire) (Gentlewave {Ire}), a winner at Market Rasen last week, has become the first horse disqualified under the new whip regulations in 7,903 races through Nov. 26, 2023, according to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Ridden by Alex Edwards, the Pam Sly trainee was struck 16 times, nine above the permitted number of strikes. Edwards has been suspended for 24 days from Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 6. Edwards was found to have used his whip “without giving his mount time to respond from approaching the third-last flight.” The permitted number of strikes is six on the Flat and seven over jumps.
“Disqualification was introduced as the ultimate deterrent for overuse of the whip and there can be no excuse for exceeding the permitted level by nine uses,” said a BHA spokesperson.
“As well as extensive consultation and communication, jockeys were required to undertake online training modules which clearly set out the new rules prior to riding under them.
“The wide-ranging understanding of what may trigger a disqualification, and the steps taken by jockeys to adapt well to the new rules, is demonstrated by the fact that this is the first time in almost 8,000 races that the rule has been invoked following a winning ride.”
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