‘I threw my whip away’ – veteran jockey struggling with new rules that would have seen him banned for 51 DAYS

VETERAN jockey Sean Quinlan threw his whip away during a race because he is struggling to adapt to strict new rules.

Riders are entering a third week of a bedding-in period after racing chiefs introduced much stronger penalties for breaking whip rules.

PA:Press AssociationQuinlan has struggled to adjust to new whip rules[/caption]

And it’s a just as well that there is a bedding-in period – as Quinlan would have totted up a whopping 51 DAYS in bans if the rules were in place right now.

A number of jockeys are being caught out by a new rule which clamps down on use of the whip over shoulder height.

There was no clear definition of that rule in the past, but from now on if stewards can see a clear gap between the jockeys’ hand and head they deem it to be a breach of the rules.

Quinlan has been caught out by that new rule on several occasions and revealed his frustration on Sky Sports Racing at having to try and change his riding style after a 20-year career in the saddle.

He feels it is effecting the quality of his riding – and even chucked his whip away in the final race at Cheltenham on Saturday because of a lack of confidence.

Scottish Grand National winner Quinlan, 38, has called for further discussions with the BHA and support from trainers.

Quinlan said: “I’m trying my best. I’ve done it for 20 years and used my whip – but now with this new rule apparently I’m breaking the rules with my hand coming above head height.

“I am trying. I’ve had a few trainers and a few owners telling me I’m not actually riding to the best of my ability and it is affecting me a little bit.

“I actually threw my whip away in the last race as you’re just thinking about it the whole time.

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“It’s playing on every one of us. Brian Hughes is champion jockey and very rarely gets a whip ban, he’s been in and out of the stewards’ room – we all have.

“We’re trying our best, but something needs to be done. I would have got 51 days last week, I’ve been called in six or seven times.

“You’re trying to win a race for an owner but then you’re trying not to get banned for something that has been working for 20 years and now you’re not allowed to do it.

“My action makes me get back to hit the horse in the right place. If I don’t use that action, I’m going to be catching the horse short. I’ve used that action and never had any problems with it.

“We’ve got to keep on discussing with the BHA and we just need a lot of support from trainers.”

Jockeys actually asked the BHA for a clearer definition on the above shoulder height rule – but now many of them are getting caught out.

The BHA had earlier performed a U-turn on the controversial ‘back-hand only’ rule after a jockeys revolt.

Instead they cut permitted use of the whip to six and seven strikes in Flat and jump races respectively, whilst also toughening up the penalty structure.

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