We should hear something shortly

Whip rules in NZ are pretty lenient compared to some other countries but stewards are still being pretty proactive in their monitoring
Only a few weeks back,,five riders faced the wrath of stewards for excessive use of the whip
All at the one meeting!

Similar in France,,where a jockey is not allowed to use the whip more than 8 times during a race
And they have an interesting addendum ?
Nor can they take a whip off a fellow jockey during a race! :)

They wouldn't, would they :) lol

In Germany the use of the whip is limited to a maximum of 5 hits which a rider may give to a horse during the whole race,,only for the purpose of encouragement

Even this number of hits could be deemed too much if the horse is well beaten or easily winning or being clear for its placing

Whip rules in Oz changed for jumps racing a few months back
Jockeys are now allowed to use the whip up to 10 times before the 100m but not in consecutive strides
Jockeys will not be allowed to use the whip in consecutive strides during the final 100m of an event

Has happened, but not that often
I remember reading about at least three incidents where a jockey 'borrowed' a whip from a rival
Two in the UK & one here
Some years back Shane Scriven received a hefty ban for stealing an apprentice's whip during a race at Ipswich
Didn't help the first one (Davy Russell) in the UK, finished unplaced & copped a suspension
Then of course there was Lester Piggot, Piggott stated the other jockey didn't need it, Piggot's mount ran 2nd
Didn't wash with officials who relegated Piggott to third

And from memory, more recently, Josh Cartwright attempted to borrow another riders whip at a Canberra meeting
Stewards fined Cartwright & warned him the penalty would have been far greater had his attempted snatch-and-grab been successful

Lester Piggot makes for an interesting read,,a lot of ups & downs
As for whip "borrowing",,another example USA late last year
Angel Castillo copped a 20-day suspension & $1,500 fine for snatching a whip out of a rival rider’s hands & using it to propel his mount into second place

"Australian harness racing is banning the use of whips in training and racing from 1 September 2017 in a world-leading animal welfare initiative that improves the industry’s image and enhances its sustainability."
(http://www.harness.org.au/news-arti...m?news_id=31814)

If it's a successful move I imagine there would be pressure on thoroughbred racing to follow (presuming they don't take the initiative themselves).

No immediate plans for NZ harness to follow suit
NZ recently made changes to their whip policies pertaining to how often they can be used

Whips are not allowed to be used in Norway
Their thoroughbred racing industry remains healthy

..amended whip rules for france..from feb1
..the maximum number of strikes with the whip will be reduced from 8 to 6

I personally think that they should ban it nationwide, then there is no advantage and jockey's can showcase their riding skills, i do understand how the whip is used to control a runners direction but can this also just be done using rider skill?

An International approach would be even better
Yet another different rule for Ireland
Determining a breach of the rules for too many strikes is at the discretion of the stewards
Around 12 strikes usually gets their attention

this seems to be a popular solution, starting with the 2yo's

"The whip may be carried, to be used forward of the saddle, slap down the shoulder with both hands on reins, or waved at the horse forward with the hand coming off the rein, but never used behind the saddle."

..might have read the same article
..start with the 2yo's..stage 1
..followed by the 3yo's..stage 2
..then the remainder..stage 3

Does that means that 3yo could be at a disadvantage during stage 2, if they were to race against older horses

..possibly

I'm guessing this ban may assist the front runners more than those back in the pack? Interesting to see how things pan out

I think these are the up-to-date rules for Swedish harness

The driver must have one rein in each hand during the entire race; the whip cannot be used with both reins in one hand. The whip may not be used from the side, not be used on the sulky or on the horse's equipment. Several fast whippings one after another are forbidden.

As a matter of interest, here's a short history of whips in Australian harness racing

1800s: Whips first used for trotting races
1970s: Cane whip replaced with fiberglass inside a plaited nylon cover
1990s: Whip length reduced
2010: Rules changed, drivers only allowed to use elbow and wrist action
2016: Drivers must have one rein in each hand at all times
Sep 2017: Australia to become the first country to voluntarily ban whips

..watching the trots at pinjarra today..lots of whip use
..very likely some different results without that use

seems harness racing south australia not fully committed

"from 1 May 2017, HRSA will be conducting trials utilising whip pads and a restricted ‘wrist action’ only in regard to whip use"

Winning jockey Tiffani Brooker,,Group 3 Gunsynd Classic,,Eagle Farm Saturday,,has been fined & suspended for using her whip on 17 occasions prior to the 100m,,a number of which were in consecutive strides & 10 times inside the 100m

Since reported that connections of the runner-up,,Violate,,beaten a lip,,are considering some kind of legal challenge or at the very least,,a formal complaint

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will take no action over a complaint regarding a breach of the whip rules in the Gunsynd Classic.

QRIC found that as connections of second-placed Violate had not lodged a protest before correct weight the result could not be changed under the rules of racing.

Source aap

Connections believed they should have been notified of their grounds to protest (by stewards) before correct weight was declared
Obviously that didn't happen

Stewards who observed the race at various points at the Eagle Farm race track saw nothing of concern in the running of the race. Hence no other action prior to correct weight

I think those trials have been put on hold. Not sure why

Due to whip free trials being done in Tasmania using safety device 'Prototype 1',,a device of approximately 160cm in total length including a long padded end
It was concluded that the Prototype 1 was unwieldy,,too long and heavy. It was caught in the wind & drivers had trouble using in a timely manner.

Stewards have the power to lodge a protest if there has been a rule breach prior to correct weight, the most common interference.
If it's a close finish they should not only look for interference, but also check that the riders have whipped their mounts within the rules before declaring correct weight.

Prototype 2 (a lighter & shorter device with a flap on the end) proved a better conveyance
It provided greater control,,safety & finesse

So, did this happen?
Don't recall seeing any outcome

A lot of shaking of the reins

think they're still using whips nsw harness

From http://www.harness.org.au/news-arti...m?news_id=34657

"Australia’s harness racing industry is moving towards a wrist-only use of the whip in racing following extensive consultations with industry participants.

The wrist-only plan comes after Harness Racing Australia said that, following the consultations, it became clear that it could not meet the 1 September deadline for implementing whip free racing.

The move to whip free racing has been put on hold because of widespread driver and Steward concerns about maintaining safety for drivers and horses".

"Mr Kelly said the decision of the Annual General Meeting of HRA in October 2016 to remove the use of whips from racing as a performance tool remained in place, and that HRA would continue to work with State bodies and consult with the industry in this important issue".

so, that's why, thanks

Luke Currie & Daniel Moor recent additions to the list of jockeys suspended for over-use of the whip

Add Katelyn Mallyon
Was adjudged to have used the whip 12 times prior to the 100m mark in the Turnbull Stakes earlier this month
7 more uses above the 5 allowed

And add Daniel Moor
Suspended Nov 11th for his overuse of the whip after his mount was narrowly beaten at Rosehill
Moor was found guilty of striking Lycurgus 14 times before the 100m – 9 more than he was allowed
He can resume riding this Wednesday

Mein Gott,

The racing industry has gotten "precious"

It just gives ammunition to the left wing nutters who want to close the industry down.