Racing’s ruling body found itself in the embarrassing position of having to row back on comments made this week by its own chief executive, Nick Rust, on the highly emotive subject of whip use. Rust told a BBC journalist that “a new structure for penalties and deterrents for overuse of the whip” would be announced next month, when in fact initial discussions on any such change have not even begun.
Mere hours after Rust’s comments were published on Friday night, the BHA confirmed it had not yet broached the subject. “We are in a position to consider how to progress this issue,” it said in a statement, adding that its review of fatalities at Cheltenham had to be completed before the whip review could start. Privately officials concede that Rust had spoken wildly out of turn and it is understood he made a contrite phone call to Paul Struthers, his opposite number at the Professional Jockeys Association, in an attempt to smooth things over.
Rust’s defenders rallied round with supportive yet damaging comments. “You know what Nick’s like,” said one. “He’s full of enthusiasm and he just wants to get things done.”
Rust was apparently baffled, after the event, as to why he had in effect announced a policy development while knowing perfectly well that no decisions have yet been made. He has done much of value since taking up the post in early 2015 but will surely have to curb his loose cannon tendencies if he is to make a success of leading the sport through yet another discussion of its whip control regime.
Jockeys riding here on Saturday were surprised and in some cases angered to learn the ruling body had put the whip back in the news in such a careless manner. Riders took some comfort in learning they will have a chance to state their case and the penalties they face may yet remain exactly as they are.
If the end result of the process is that jockeys do indeed face stiffer penalties, there is bound to be concern that the matter has been prejudged by Rust. For that reason alone it seems likely his handling of the subject will be scrutinised by the BHA board.
As an aggravating factor, Rust seems to have left the BBC’s journalist with the impression the ruling body is preparing for a future in which the whip cannot be used for encouragement by jockeys, perhaps as soon as three years from now. A BHA insider clarified that no such preparations are in hand and that this was merely an acknowledgment that the possibility is being discussed by racing figures outside the BHA.
One of the recent heroes of Cheltenham took a final bow on Saturday when The New One was retired after the International Hurdle, in which he was pulled up before the final flight. “When push came to shove, he just doesn’t have it in him any more,” said his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, who expects to keep the horse at his nearby stables.
The race was won by Brain Power, who seems to have a brighter future over hurdles than fences. He is likely to skip the Christmas Hurdle, for which his yard already has the favourite in Buveur D’Air, but may be a contender for the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Frodon and Bryony Frost won the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, despite being blown sideways at an early fence, according to the jockey. The Ryanair Chase at the Festival in March is Frodon’s main target this season.
Southwell 12.10 Midnight Bliss (nap) 12.40 Cash To Ash 1.10 Mack The Man 1.45 Stoney Mountain 2.15 Kimberley Point 2.50 Executive Capilano 3.20 Trigger Nichol
Carlisle 12.20 Earlofthecotswolds 12.50 Ballasalla (nb) 1.20 One For Rosie 1.55 Ryalex 2.25 Mac N Cheese 3.00 Lough Derg Farmer 3.30 Shocona’s Joy
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