Top jockeys now opting for cutting back on their racing appearances on the British tracks
The episode that started off with Richard Hughes and Kieren Fox being suspended for a number of days after crossing the whipping limit in the furlong brought agitation from across the horse racing industry.
Despite the fact that many jockeys protested and Richard Hughes went on an extent to relinquish his riding license did not really compel the British Horseracing Authority to either amend or at least relax the regulations. The Authority just has been banning
jockeys ever since the rule has been implemented.
This rule is not only depriving jockeys financially but is also forcing them to miss on the most important events and occasions of the British and American horseracing calendar. For instance, Frankie Dettori will now have to miss the Breeders’ Cup second
day and would only get to participate in the Fillies’ And Mares Turf.
The meeting between the British Horseracing and Professional Jockeys Association’s failure to reach any mutual ground has forced jockey such as Johnny Murtagh and Ruby Walsh to decide for ‘self exile’ as they have now resolved on slashing their racing appearances
in the British races because the penalties imposed are just not worth the effort and time.
These suspensions have a really adverse impact not only on the jockeys but also the horses that get ridden by these jockeys. For example Caspar Netscher will have Kieren Fallon aboard instead of Robert Winston just because the latter has been suspended.
The race that we are talking about here is the Breeders’’ Cup Mile and Robert Winston is the jockey that the ride is most used to and is most comfortable with. This eventually can lead to very important horses losing very important races.
"I cannot risk these lengths of bans when I come over to Britain. You won't see me in the lead-up to major meetings like Royal Ascot and races like the Derby any more. I'll probably draw the line at Group races only”. J Murtagh said.
PJA chief executive Kevin Darley said: "I have huge sympathy for Johnny, Ruby and all the Irish boys”.
It can no longer be stated that it is not too late as the prime jockeys have already started taking decisions that will ultimately harm the British Horseracing but then again they also have to safeguard their careers.
Tags: