Whip Rules

These are guidelines and do not provide an exhaustive list of offences, or circumstances, whereby a rider's use of the whip may be considered improper.

Schedule (B)6 Part 2 - USE OF THE WHIP (Examples of Mis-use) Number of hits which amount to a BREACH Minimum penalty - DAYS
Report made by Veterinary Officer    
  • Minor weal
  5
  • Moderate weal
  8
  • Injury
  refer
Arm above shoulder height 2 2
Without regard to stride (rat - tat - tat) 3 2
Excessive force 1 2
Without time to respond (allow 3 strides per stroke) 3 3
Showing no response 3 5
Out of contention 3 5
Clearly winning (or other placing) 2 2
Past the post 2 2
Incorrect place 1 2
Down shoulder in forehand 2 2
Excessive frequency     Number of hits which
    amount to a breach		  Minimum penalty
         - days
  • Flat Race
8 2
  9 5
  10 7
  • Jump Race
9 2
  10 5
  11 7

 Summary of the new whip rules as of 11 November 2011

  • Total hits allowed: 7 Flat - 8 Jump

  • Allowed at any time during the race   

  • Excessive frequency:

- 1 hit over total allowed: 2 days suspension, no forfeiture of Jockey's prize money
- 2 hits over total allowed: 5 days suspension, no forfeiture of Jockey's prize money
- 3 hits over total allowed: 7 days suspension, forfeiture of Jockey's prize money
- 7 days’ suspension or more for whip rule breaches will trigger the jockey’s prize money percentage being forfeited.
- the level of suspension will increase by 2 days for each hit over the number which amounts to a breach.

  • Suspensions of 7 days or more before taking into account previous offences will result in the Jockey’s percentage of the prize money being forfeited. 

  • Penalties for other breaches of Schedule (B)6 part 2 have been increased.  

  • Totting up suspensions for whip offences will be discontinued. Repeat offences will result in at least a doubling of the suspension.  

  • Group 1 and Grade 1 exemptions will apply to whip offences resulting in 4 days suspension or less.  

  • Every time a rider’s whip makes contact with his horse with his whip hand off the reins will be considered as a hit regardless of how, where or with what force the whip is used.  

  • Any offence which warrants a suspension of more than 20 days before previous offences are taken into account will be referred.  

  • Any offence which warrants a suspension of more than 42 days having taken previous offences into account will be referred.  

  • When a Jockey is referred for a fourth suspension of 5 days or more within the previous 12 months, suspensions will range from 2 to 6 months with an entry point of 3 months.

To view the rule in the BHA guide to penalties, click here