RSPCA demands whips are banned from horse racing after six jockeys including Winx's winning racer are punished for excessively hitting their Melbourne Cup steeds

  • RSPCA leads growing calls for whip use to be banned in horse racing
  • Six jockeys were fined or suspended for excessive use on Melbourne Cup Day
  • Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy fined $3,000, Hugh Bowman suspended
  • The controversial issue divided public opinion on social media on Wednesday
  • Jockeys can use whip up to 18 times in a race, which is banned in harness racing

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 23:55 EST, 6 November 2018 | Updated: 23:55 EST, 6 November 2018

There are growing calls for a crackdown on whips in horse racing after six jockeys were fined or suspended for excessive use in the Melbourne Cup.

The RSPCA reignited its campaign on a ban on whips when Melbourne radio host Neil Mitchell sparked debate on his 3AW program on Wednesday.

Among the riders penalised on Tuesday include Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who was fined $3,000 after riding Cross Counter to victory.

Kerrin McEvoy's Melbourne Cup victory on board Cross Counter on Tuesday was bittersweet after he was fined $3,000 for excessive whip use

Kerrin McEvoy's Melbourne Cup victory on board Cross Counter on Tuesday was bittersweet after he was fined $3,000 for excessive whip use

Second place getter jockey Hugh Bowman, who is also the regular rider of record breaking mighty mare Winx was suspended for a month for three offences.

Regan Bayliss, ($1500) and Cup third place getter Michael Walker ($400) also copped fines along with Dwayne Dunn and Damian Lane ($800 each).

'Is that cheating or breaking the rules'?' Mr Mitchell asked 3AW listeners.

'I'm told it's really common around race meeting every day of the week for jockeys to be fined for overuse of the whip.'

Mr Mitchell added he senses that community support has shifted towards a ban in recent years.

Current racing rules allow each jockey to hit their horse up to 18 times throughout the race.

It's in stark contrast to harness racing, where whips were banned across Australia two years ago. 

'There is absolutely no evidence that whips don't hurt horses,' RSPCA Australia spokeswoman Jane Speechley told 3AW listeners on Wednesday.

'We say that good racing is about good horsemanship, good breeding and good training, and if you let racing be about that there's really no place for a whip.'

Hugh Bowman, who rode second placed Marmelo in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup has been suspended for one month for excessive whip use

Hugh Bowman, who rode second placed Marmelo in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup has been suspended for one month for excessive whip use

The RSPCA insists it has no concerns with a safety device being for urgent safety situations.

'It's the routine use of the whip to urge on tired horses to run faster than they otherwise would be able to, that's what we're concerned about,' Ms Speechley said. 

The radio segment divided opinion on social media.

'I didn't watch the race yesterday- first time ever, I love the Melbourne Cup but too many horses die and I can't in all good conscience support it anymore. There are many people who feel this way,' one listener commenter on 3AW's Facebook page.

Another added: 'If you hit any other animal with a whip, you would be prosecuted.'

The use of whips has been banned from harness racing (pictured) since 2016

The use of whips has been banned from harness racing (pictured) since 2016

But there were almost as many people in favour of the current rules.

'If you don't like horse racing there is a simple solution don't watch it,' one punter commented.

Another added: 'I love how people think they know what's best for an animal, animals are just as competitive as us.'

One woman called for the RSPCA to instead turn its focus to the many reports of cruelty and neglect of ex-racehorses.

Opinion is divided over the use of whips in horse racing following the 2018 Melbourne Cup

Opinion is divided over the use of whips in horse racing following the 2018 Melbourne Cup

The debate over whip use was reignited on Tuesday when Cliffsofmoher became the latest horse to die in the Melbourne Cup.

It's in the wake of similar tragedies in the race in recent years.

'In that field alone, horses were hit with whips several hundred times at least, with the highest number of hits occurring in the final 100 metres, when they are already tired,' Ms Speechley said in a statement following Tuesday's race.

'We're seeing a growing number of Australians who feel uncomfortable about watching horse racing, and tragic incidents like these provide a catalyst for that concern.'

Craig Williams, who rode sixth placed Youngstar in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup urged racing authorities to not change the rules when the whip was banned in harness racing in 2016

Craig Williams, who rode sixth placed Youngstar in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup urged racing authorities to not change the rules when the whip was banned in harness racing in 2016

Three-quarters of Australians quizzed in a poll said they do not support the whipping of horses in racing in a PLOS One study earlier this year.

Jockey Craig Williams urged Racing Australia not to changed with whip rules when it was banned in harness racing in 2016.

'I think they've done a terrific job to have the whip rules where they are, regarding the number of strikes and public perception,' he told The Herald Sun at the time.

'You wouldn't want to see a coroner's report that said a jockey died because he was unable to control a horse because he had no whip. 

Cox Plate-winning trainer Colin Little added: 'The whip is vital as a control tool.’

Advertisement

RSPCA calls for whips are banned from horse racing after six jockeys are penalised for excessive use

Most watched News videos

Comments 0

Share what you think

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.