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First winner disqualified under new whip rules

3 minute read

Mixedwave gained the unusual accolade of being the first winner to be disqualified under the new whip rules after jockey Alex Edwards used his whip nine times above the permitted allowance in the Pertemps Network Handicap Chase at Market Rasen last Thursday.

Racecourse : Market Rasen  Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

The new regulations permit only seven strikes of the whip over jumps (six on the flat) and Alex Edwards was recorded to use his whip sixteen times whilst landing the Market Rasen contest by a short-head for trainer Pam Sly.

During the meeting of the Whip Review Committee, it was deemed that Edwards had not given "his mount time to respond from approaching the third-last flight" in addition to the overuse of the whip.

A spokesperson for the BHA said: "Disqualification was introduced as the ultimate deterrent for overuse of the whip and there can be no excuse for exceeding the permitted level by nine uses.

"As well as extensive consultation and communication, jockeys were required to undertake online training modules which clearly set out the new rules prior to riding under them.

"The wide-ranging understanding of what may trigger a disqualification, and the steps taken by jockeys to adapt well to the new rules, is demonstrated by the fact that this is the first time in almost 8,000 races that the rule has been invoked following a winning ride."