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Whips in racing

Call for whip-free racing from RSPCA Australia on Vimeo.

Voice your concerns regarding the unacceptable use of whips in racing by sending a letter to the Australian Racing Board calling on them to introduce whip-free racing in Australia. www.rspca.org.au/whips

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Study reveals unacceptable use of whips in racing

The use of whips as a performance aid is back in the spotlight following the release of a study which analysed race footage provided by the RSPCA and found evidence of the unacceptable use of whips and the inability of stewards to adequately police Australian whip rules.

Published in 2012 and conducted by veterinarian and Professor Paul McGreevy at the University of Sydney, the study reignites calls for the racing industry to review the use of whips in racing.

This study also builds on a previous study released in 2011 which found that whipping a horse does not increase the chance of a horse finishing first, second or third and that 98% of horses were being whipped without it influencing the race outcome.

The latest study revealed:

  • An unacceptable number of apparent breaches of whip rules
  • So-called padding of a whip is not effective in safeguarding horses from possible pain.

The results of this study do not offer any support for the retention of whipping in horse racing and are contrary to the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering to which the Australian Racing Board is a signatory. This International Agreement lists specific prohibitions for whip use, including using the whip on the flank. The results of the latest study indicate that Australian racing authorities are not meeting their obligations regarding this International Agreement.

Voice your concerns regarding the unacceptable use of whips in racing by sending a letter to the Australian Racing Board calling on them to introduce whip-free racing in Australia.

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Read more on the study Whip use by jockeys in a sample of Australian Thoroughbred races. 

Background

In March 2009 the Australian Racing Board  introduced new rules to reduce the number of times jockeys can whip their horses in a race. After outcry from jockeys, owners and breeders, these rules were wound back twice. Only forehand-style whipping is limited from the start of a race and jockeys can still use the whip at their discretion in the last 100 metres – that means within the rules horses could be struck up to 13 times in a row.

The RSPCA believes a top performance horse needs great genetics, great preparation and great horsemanship. Whipping does not come into it.

The RSPCA would like to see:

  • a commitment from jockeys to adhere to the rules
  • a commitment from the racing industry to encourage reduced reliance on whips
  • mandatory training programs in place for jockeys to help them adapt
  • a ‘hands and heels' series introduced into Australia
  • an end of the use of whips as performance aids.

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