By Dan Ross
Next Friday, Apr. 12, jockeys riding at Santa Anita will do so without a whip, according to a letter the Jockeys' Guild sent Friday to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), Santa Anita management, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), and the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT).
Current CHRB law doesn't require jockeys to carry a riding crop, and as such, “individual jockeys who regularly ride at Santa Anita have elected not to carry the cushioned riding crop during the entire race day card on Friday, Apr. 12,” the letter states.
The decision by the Jockeys' Guild and the Santa Anita jockey colony follows a proposed rule change approved by the CHRB at its last scheduled meeting, which restricts riders to using riding crops only “to control the horse for the safety of the horse or rider.” The proposed rule change was subsequently put out for a 45-day public comment period, and could be amended before the board votes on it again.
Currently, jockeys are permitted to use the crop three times in succession before putting it down to give a horse time to respond.
“I hope they're doing it for the right reasons,” said Jim Cassidy, president of the CTT, about the jockeys' decision to forego the whip Apr. 12.
The day of whip-less races at Santa Anita is described in the letter as a fact-finding mission. After each race on Apr. 12, “data will be gathered from input from the jockeys,” the letter states. “Each ride will be evaluated for safety, how horses respond in passing other horses, react when going through an opening, or any other situation that may develop during the running of the race.”
The information collected during the trial experiment will be submitted for consideration during the public comment period.
“We believe it is necessary to get real time data and feedback in order to fully appreciate the implications of the proposed rule change,” wrote Darrell Haire, a member representative with the Jockeys Guild, in a statement to the TDN.
“We believe there are unforeseen consequences that will impact not only the horse and rider safety, but all facets of the racing industry, including the betting public, owners, trainers, racetracks, as well as the breeding industry. We will be presenting the information gathered to the CHRB,” Haire added.
According to Friday's letter, “an announcement shall be made over the public address system” that the jockeys will not be carrying a riding crop during the Apr. 12 races, and asks the CHRB, TOC, CTT and Santa Anita management to “notify your staff and respective members, the trainers, the betting public, and all other interested parties prior to entries.”
“Please be assured that the jockeys will do everything within their ability and power to achieve best possible placing for their horses, with the safety for the horse and rider being paramount,” the letter states.
A day of whip-less races at Santa Anita on Apr. 12 “is progressive in a positive way,” said Hall of Fame former jockey Chris McCarron, before adding, “I don't know if I wholeheartedly agree with them taking the crop away altogether.”
McCarron said that he also agrees with rule changes that limit the number of strikes, to mirror the international model. “You're on a horse that doesn't want to go between horses, and you can feel them trying to suck back, and you can push and shove with all your might, but you sometimes just can't get your horse to get up in there,” he said, explaining why he thinks the whip might be necessary in some circumstances.
According to Friday's letter, “jockeys risk their lives every day and are an integral part of racing. The voice of the Jockeys' Guild and its members must be heard and included in all conversations to find the best possible outcome for all industry stakeholders. We hope we can work together, with all interested racing parties, during the rule-making process to evaluate the results and agree upon a rule that will be in the best interest of racing in California.”
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