BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY REGULATION (BHA) ANNOUNCE FORTHCOMING AMENDMENTS TO WHIP RULES BUT ARE THESE AMENDMENTS BLOODHORSE LITERATE? OR ABUSIVELY BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE?

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21st  2012 16:25

BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY BHA ANNOUNCE FORTHCOMING AMENDMENTS TO WHIP RULES

At their Board meeting today the Directors of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) approved a proposal for a fundamental change to the rules governing use of the whip, together with revisions to the existing penalty structure.

The Board agreed to progress a proposal in which the fixed number of times use of the whip is permitted is replaced by an emphasis on reviewing the manner in which the whip is used, as well as taking account of frequency. The new rule will be ready for implementation in early March.

Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the BHA said:

“Over four months have passed since the introduction of the first set of rules following the Whip Review. Despite a number of changes to both the rule and the accompanying penalty structure it is clear that while many objectives of the Review are being met, and in particular those pertaining to horse welfare, a rule which polices the use of the whip based solely on a fixed number of strikes is fundamentally flawed.

“While well intentioned, and in accordance with initial requests from the jockeys for clarity and consistency via a fixed number, in practice the new rules have repeatedly thrown up examples of no consideration being given to the manner in which the whip is used as well as riders being awarded disproportionate penalties for the offence committed.

“The challenge is to have in place a rule and penalty structure which meets the objectives for fairness and proportionality outlined in the Whip Review while retaining the positives which have been a product of the changes to date. These include the virtual removal of all serious breaches and an overall reduction in the number of offences.

“We are confident there is not a welfare problem associated with the use of the cushioned whip in British Racing.

“The objective of this proposal is to keep jockeys riding to a similar standard as they are now with regard to their significantly reduced use of the whip, but with added discretion and common sense applied by stewards when considering whether a rider is in breach of the rules.”

"As a consequence of the Board decision, rather than it being an automatic breach when a rider uses the whip eight times on the Flat and nine times over jumps, the figures become the trigger point for the stewards to review the ride in question. Stewards will then consider how the rider has used the whip in the course of exceeding the number before deciding whether a breach has occurred and a penalty is warranted.

"The Board also sanctioned the introduction of a revised penalty structure, the aim of which is to increase the proportionality of the penalties, in particular for minor offences. Within the context of the current rule, the Board approved the proposal for treating cases of frequency of both one and two over as Lower Level breaches, whereby one over will still warrant a two day ban and two over will incur four day ban, rather than five days as at present.

"In addition, repeat offences at both the Lower and Upper Level will not result in the penalty multiplying. Instead, each offence will be treated on its merits. However, a fifth ‘Lower Level’ offence or a fourth Upper Level offence within six months will result in a referral to the Disciplinary Panel. This ensures that there is a threshold at which repeat offenders are held accountable.

"The changes to the penalty structure will take effect from Thursday 23^rd February and will be retrospectively applied to suspensions still to be served.

Paul Bittar continued:

"Prior to the implementation of the new whip rules, stewards policed cases of mis-use of the whip based on similar principles to that outlined in the proposal. The difference with this proposal is the markedly lower and clarified threshold levels for when a ride will be reviewed.

“It is recognised that the most demanding challenge in relation to framing the rules on this subject is finding the balance between a proportionate penalty and one that also acts as an effective deterrent. In particular, the Board recognises that this question may come under scrutiny in major races and reserve the right to make further revisions in the future.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The initial Whip Review document, plus details of the subsequent amendments to the rules, can be found at http://www.britishhorseracing.com/whip-review/

For more information contact:

Robin Mounsey
British Horseracing Authority
t:02071520048
m:07584171551
e: rmounsey@britishhorseracing.com

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL

SOUND BLOODHORSE LITERACY  

1) Are the BHA amendments to the whip review set out to be:-

Bloodhorse literate?
Or abusively bloodhorse illiterate?

2) Are the BHA amendments to the whip rules set out to be:-

Bloodhorse literate in theory?
Bloodhorse literate in practice?

3) Are the BHA amendments to the whip rules set out to be:-

Abusively bloodhorse illiterate in theory?
Abusively bloodhorse illiterate in practice?

ABUSIVE BLOODHORSE ILLITERACY

A) Is anyone allowed to know if these amendments to the whip rules are to be sound and bloodhorse literate?

B) Is anyone allowed to know if these amendments to the whip rules are to be abusive and bloodhorse Illiterate?

ABUSIVE BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE DISCRETION
A) Is anyone allowed to know if the discretionary clause within these amendments to the whip rules is to be sound bloodhorse literate discretion?

ii. Is anyone allowed to know if the discretionary clause within these amendments to the whip rules is to be abusive bloodhorse illiterate discretion?

iii. Is anyone allowed to know if the discretionary clause within these amendments is to work out in theory? 

iv. Is anyone allowed to know if the discretionary clause within these amendments is to work out in practice?

B) Is anyone allowed to know if the discretionary clause within these amendments to the whip rules is to be abusively bloodhorse illiterate discretion?

C) Is anyone allowed to know if the discretionary clause within these amendments to the whip rules is to be a missmash of both the abusive bloodhorse illiterate direction, and or sound bloodhorse literate direction?

BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY'S WORKING PRACTICES CALLED INTO QUESTION

J MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL COMMENT

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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL RUNS FROM TUESDAY MARCH 13th THROUGH TO FRIDAY MARCH 16th 2012. THERE ARE IN FACT ONLY

TWENTY DAYS LEFT.

IT COULD BE SAID that time has yet again seriously run out for the bloodhorse illiterate regulation powers that be within the BHA. They have allowed their working practices to fail both themselves, and the rest of us yet again. And in allowing this to happen have made things very difficult indeed. All these bloodhorse literate horsemen preparing to compete for this Festival not knowing what to expect. As happened a week before British Champion's Day in October 2011. This is not acceptable regulation practice.

THE AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING RUNS FROM

THURSDAY APRIL 12th THROUGH TO SATURDAY APRIL 14th

NOW 50 DAYS AWAY -  SEVEN WEEKS AWAY.

IT COULD BE SAID THAT THE BHA HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME TO CHANGE ANYTHING AT ALL FROM TODAY THEIR WORKING PRACTICES FAIL EVERYONE INCLUDING THE HORSES.

BY RIGHTS THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST A SIX MONTH

 TRIAL PERIOD ALLOWANCE OVER ANY AND ALL

BLOODHORSE LITERATE RIDING TACTICS CALLED INTO QUESTION.

WHAT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AT EITHER OF THESE MEETINGS IN ANY AND ALL RACES IS:

IF a rider exceeds the present number of hits and wins the race he has to know before he goes out to ride that if he allows this to happen he will be placed not first but last. That should be punishment enough. Everyone needs to know this at least one week before both of these meetings. All punters must know this and should by rights know this now as it will effect all anti-post betting. Punters already know who the whip jockeys are, and need to stear well clear of them when considering making a bet.

GRAHAM GREEN "BHA TO DISCUSS BITTAR'S

WHIP PROPOSALS

"NEW chief executive Paul Bittar will be proposing amendments to the whip rules at today's BHA board meeting in a bid to avoid controversy at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

"The proposals, which follow informal discussions between Bittar and Professional Jockey's Association chief executive Paul Struthers, do not herald a major overhaul of the regime introduced last October but are instead expected to concentrate on the penalties for minor offences, and also on encouraging local stewards to employ more discretion when dealing with riders who exceed the permitted number of strokes.

"If the amendments are agreed in principle it will represent a significant step towards defusing what remains a contentious issue in the weighing-room.

"BHA spokesman John Maxse said last night: "One of the items the board meeting will consider will be proposals for amending the whip rules that have been developed by Paul Bittar, who believes two areas need reviewing, namely the proportionality of penalties and the potential for greater discretion to be used on course.

"We're obviously conscious of the time-frame, and the objective is to have whatever changes are approved in place before Cheltenham, but the amendments will still require more work after tomorrow's board meeting."
END

JMC TURFCALL COMMENT

BLOODHORSE LITERACY PERSPECTIVE DIRECTION

Firstly there has to be an aim to clarify what British horseracing is attempting, hoping to achieve over the next few years.

There is already a series of British races that stipulate hands and heals riding only. This practice needs to become the accepted way forward. If so, the use of the whip should find it's own balance within that framework.

THE STARK REALITY OF THE BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITIES BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE NEGLIGENCE ONGOING OVER 5 DECADES HOW HAVE THEY BEEN ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS CRUEL NEGLECT?

WHERE IS THE BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITIES (BHA)

BLOODHORSE LITERATE WHIP REVIEW?

JMC TURFCALL COMMENT

Very mean to only provide a Bloodhorse Illiterate Whip Review surely ... If mean is the right word. How do the BHA expect the handler/ riders they license to ride in this country to be forced into using Bloodhorse Illiterate Whip Rules?

THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF BRITISH HORSERACING IS IN A TOTAL BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE MESS

Mr Bittar's lip service herewith shows that he has absolutely no idea of the scale of menace burdened by the BHA upon all those who have achieved true bloodhorse literacy.

How on earth can the new British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chief executive Paul Bittar possibly believe that he can end the whip row when he is bloodhorse illiterate himself? The whole bloodhorse illiterate structure of the way British horseracing is being run, and has been left to run over the last 5 decades is totally terrifying. Most certainly totally terrifying for the horses, who are left to bare the brunt of all the related issues that manifest themselves through BHA bloodhorse illiteracy.

Bittar says "I have no interest in one of our rules being the public focus during a great festival so we're hoping to have that resolved. I think in general, the riders have made a huge effort to fall into line with the new rules."

But how are you going to cope Mr Bittar if as has happened every year, over the last ten years, a considerable number of horses are left lying dying where they fall out on the Cheltenham race track or so badly hurt they loose their lives out there, or days later.

Every licensed rider competing at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival needs to be warned before leaving the weighing room before every single race to take far more care of each runner than has happened in the past. Owners do not want their horses to loose their lives or be crippled for life.

But why Mr Bittar should any licensed bloodhorse literate handler rider be expected by anyone including yourself to adapt their riding to suit bloodhorse illiterate whip rules?Drawn up at considerable cost by bloodhorse illiterate regulators? More to the point where are the bloodhorse literate whip rules Mr Bittar?

Bittar goes on to say "I think it's unarguable that the penalty structure doesn't quite fit the crime."

"Doesn't quite fit the crime ....? It's the bloodhorse illiterate regulators who are the ones committing the crime and abuse against licensed bloodhorse literate handler/riders and one of those is Bittar himself. There is a massive BHA derelict zone of bloodhorse illiteracy where bloodhorse literacy is totally vital, but is found to be totally void. How have these BHA regulators got away with such blatant negligence, ongoing over such a long time? How much longer are they to be allowed to go on trashing British horseracing? How much longer are they to be allowed to go on abusing handler riders? How much longer are they going to be allowed to abuse the owners horses? How much longer are they to be allowed to abuse all handler riders who come here from other countries?

PAUL BITTAR THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY

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GRAHAM GREEN FROM THE RACING POST BRINGS NEWS AS FOLLOWS:

(RP Tuesday February 7th 2012)

BITTAR GIVES SUPPORT AS MPs DEBATE OFFSHORE BETTING TAX

"BHA chief executive Paul Bittar last night gave his unqualified backing to MP Matthew  Hancock's Offshore Gambling Bill that is being debated in the House of Commons this afternoon (Monday February 6th 2012).

 

"The bill, which William Hill hope to see defeated after briefing MP's on the company's opposition, is designed to speed up the process of closing the tax loophole that allows bookmakers to avoid UK taxes and levy contributions by basing their online businesses outside the country.

"It calls for a new point-of-consumption approach to gambling licensing that would bring these operators under the auspices of the Gambling Commission where they would be subject to UK taxes, and levy payments.

 

"Among the major priorities facing Bittar is finding a solution to the sport's financial crisis, and he said; "The BHA, and the whole of racing, strongly supports and welcomes Matthew Hancock's motion and his continued efforts in seeking a sustainable future for our industry.

"I met today with our minister, John Penrose, to highlight many of the deep flaws in our funding mechanism, and the offshore location of the vast majority of telephone, internet and mobile betting platforms available to British punters is chief among them. It has taken a lot of work, but it is now government policy to switch gambling regulation to a point- of- consumption basis, and they are seeking a legislative time slot.

 

"The current situation is clearly having a detrimental impact on racing's finances, consumer protection in the UK, and also competition within the sector. It seems unarguable to me, and an issue of fairness. Of course, rates of and subsiquent legislation are a different matter and an area  in which the British betting industry can count on our support provided we get the right long-term-and mutually beneficial framework in place. Such a framework must start with capturing all betting  activity in this country on British racing, and the sport being able to share in the benefits from further technological innovation down the line."

"Hills claim setting a high tax rate for offshore online operators could drive punters to unlicensed sites."

J  MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL  

BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE BOOKMAKER WILLIAM HILL  not so long ago managed to get the Bloodhorse Illiterate European Court of Justice to throw the bloodhorse illiterate British horseracing's claim out of court, a claim for a fairer financial return from bookmakers. But was the Bloodhorse Illiterate European Court of Justice honourable, just and fair to allow Bloodhorse Illiterate William Hills allegations to stand?  Would they stand legally today?

It has been evident over decades that bloodhorse illiteracy has been the direct cause of the plight British horseracing now finds itself in today.  Bloodhorse illiteracy that knows no better but to take monies earned by others instead for themselves. A passport for all  and sundry to cash in big time taking money earned by the bloodhorse literate, the reason why William Hill has managed to get such a grip on monies earned off the back's of the bloodhorse literate.  Without those who work each and every day at the dangerous sharp end of horseracing with the horses,  there would be no horseracing. Is this the horseracing we are going to leave all the little children who are growing up now to inherit? Sharp practices as these?

HORSERACING A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE SPORT