Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approves new whip rules; Jockeys' Guild on board

LEXINGTON, KY – The full Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Tuesday gave unanimous approval to a set of new rules that will limit riders to a total of six overhand whip strikes in a race.

The new rules, which will need ratification by a legislative commission, are not likely to go into effect until late 2021, according to officials. Although riders will be limited to six overhand strikes, they will be able to use the whip back-handed or underhanded at any time from the three-eighths pole to the finish line. Riders will also be prohibited from using the whip twice in succession, but can use the whip in any manner if the horse or rider is in danger.

Kentucky is the latest state to put in place rules limiting whip use, at a time when the practice of whipping in races has become a cause of concern to some groups. Officials of the KHRC worked closely with representatives of the Jockeys’ Guild to devise the new rules, in contrast to some other states, which have passed whip restrictions over objections from the guild.

“We know this rule is a fair compromise and in the best interests of our industry,” Terry Meyocks, the chief executive officer of the guild, told the commission after the vote.

A similar effort to put in place new rules last year stalled when riders and other officials voiced concerns to legislators over that set of regulations. However, with all parties on board, the state’s Legislative Research Commission is expected to recommend the regulations for approval later this year. After that, racing officials have said they will reach out to riders for a period of several months before levying fines or suspensions for violations.

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The Kentucky rules would give the stewards the discretion to levy a minimum $500 fine for a first offense and/or a three-day suspension. For flagrant or chronic violations, stewards could go beyond those minimums, officials said.