Leading jump jockey Sean Bowen has received an 18-day ban, with six days deferred for two months, for misuse of the whip after a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing.
The pivotal incident in question was his ride aboard Mackelduff in a Wetherby handicap chase on January 14, where he was deemed to have struck the horse without giving him time to respond approaching the last fence.
The offence warranted a suspension ranging from two to six days, but as the penalty would have been Bowen’s fifth within the prior six months, he was referred to the panel.
The panel dismissed Bowen’s claim that his whip use aboard Mackelduff was corrective, agreeing upon a suspension of two days, but the overarching matter was the longer-term penalty for successive breaches of the whip rules.
Three of Bowen’s previous suspensions were incurred because he was not striking the horse on the correct part of the hindquarters, an issue that had arisen because the rider was attempting to learn the backhand technique when using the whip.
Noble Yeats and Sean Bowen winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)
The BHA had proposed to outlaw using the whip in the forehand position under revised rules – which have subsequently been amended to scrap that directive – prompting Bowen to try the method, although the rider’s solicitor Rory Mac Neice said his physical stature made the use of the backhand difficult, resulting in him striking the wrong area of the horse.
The panel included Alison Royston and Jodie Mogford and James O’Mahoney, the latter of whom was the chair and said whilst delivering the penalty: “Mr Bowen is a busy rider, his use of whip is in fact sparing with long periods without infringements.
“Regard has been given to his previous offences, described as technical offences, and the coaching that he has had to, in simple terms, change the golf swing in the context of the state of play regarding the rules as to use of the whip.
“We do accept the argument about his comparatively small size compared to other jockeys in the context of the use of the whip in the backhand.
Bowen at Leicester (Mike Egerton/PA)
“Our conclusion, taking into account all of those matters, and the matrix to which I have referred, is one of 18 days of suspension of licence.
“One third of that period of suspension will be deferred for a period of two months.”
Bowen is also required to attend a jockey coaching session with Richard Perham during his suspension, owing to the fact that his breaches in the main were deemed ‘technical’ and it was therefore considered that work on his technique would be beneficial.
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Sean Bowen believes the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase will inform connections of exactly where they stand with Noble Yeats.
Bowen, second in the championship standings behind Brian Hughes, picked up the ride one Emmet Mullins’ stable star after Sam Waley-Cohen quit in fairytale circumstances following his Grand National last April.
Unbeaten in two races together, a Listed event at Wexford and the Grade Two Many Clouds at Aintree, Noble Yeats and Bowen face genuine Gold Cup quality opposition this weekend with Betfair Chase winner Protektorat and a previous King George winner in Frodon in opposition.
“It will be the first time I’ve sat on him since Aintree and I’m looking forward to it,” said Bowen.
“I’ve not heard too much from Emmet as he likes to keep himself to himself, but if he is going for a race like this, I put full faith in Emmet getting him right for the day.
“I think he is one of those horses that never overdoes anything. I suppose at Wexford he did what he needed to, and with a horse like that, you never really know how much they have got left in the locker until they have a proper fight on their hands.
“I suppose Saturday will show us how good he really is as he will be having a proper race there. To be honest he probably does need to take another step forward, but again I think he is capable of that given how he never overdoes things.
“He is a very straightforward ride and he doesn’t do much until you ask him. Hopefully there is plenty left in the locker when I need it on Saturday.”
Ex-Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen (left), his father Robert Waley-Cohen (right) and trainer Emmet Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)
Speaking of the circumstances regarding getting the ride, Bowen added: “I’m in a very lucky position. It’s hard when you are freelance to find a horse that takes you to the next level.
“I’m very grateful to Robert (Waley-Cohen, owner), Sam and Emmet for giving me this chance.”
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Ryan Moore has welcomed the British Horseracing Authority’s decision to allow jockeys to continue using the whip in the forehand position under new riding rules.
The BHA announced a series of alterations to the regulations in the summer, with jockeys only allowed to use the whip in the backhand position and serious breaches to result in disqualification from races and possible 28-day bans for riders in major races.
However, further revisions were made to those plans after a number of riders registered their disquiet, with the implementation of the backhand-only rule proving a particularly unpopular prospect.
The BHA reversed its decision on banning the forehand position on Wednesday, but overall permitted use of the whip in races will be reduced and penalties will be made much stiffer, with 40-day suspensions a possibility for the worst offences in class one and two races.
Ryan Moore supports the new regulations (Niall Carson/PA)
Three-times Flat champion Moore is pleased to see the BHA and riders agree on a revised outcome.
In a statement issued by the Professional Jockeys Association, he said: “We thank the many well-intentioned individuals who have spent time on this issue. Horseracing must be competitive, have integrity and aim for the highest possible standards from all participants.
“I welcome the fact that the backhand-only rule has been discarded and that the BHA will continue to discuss and work with us in the future and hope that British racing and other jurisdictions will work together to find long-term solutions.”
Tom Scudamore was part of the consultation steering group (Mike Egerton/PA)
National Hunt jockey Tom Scudamore was part of the Whip Consultation Steering Group which drew up the new rules.
He added: “After the recent issues raised and consultations with the BHA board, through the PJA, I welcome the changes made.
“I hope that we can continue dialogue between both PJA and BHA to monitor the situation in order to maintain the highest standards that is expected every day in British racing.”
Fellow jockey Tom Cannon believes the new regulations should be “fairly black and white now”.
Tom Cannon feels the new rules are clear (Simon Marper/PA)
Flat riders will be allowed to strike their mounts six times in a race, with jump jockeys allowed seven uses of the whip – a compromise which Cannon feels is satisfactory when combined with tougher penalties.
He said: “They were pushing for us to use the backhand and it is what it is now. The forehand position looks better, it looks better to ride with, better for the horses, so hopefully common sense has prevailed. So, hopefully we can just get on with it now and concentrate on the racing.
“I was involved later on (with discussions) but not to begin with, like a lot of us were. A lot of us were not in the initial discussions, but it got a lot more serious and as time went on and we realised that they were coming in and a lot of us got involved.
“I think common sense has prevailed and while there will be a few bans dotted about, that is going to be the case whatever. We just have to concentrate on the racing now, which won’t be affected.
“We said that using it in the backhand position was not great for the horses, as a lot of jockeys can’t use it properly in that position and you are hitting them down the ribs a lot. That opens up a can of worms in itself.
“Losing one hit and getting stronger penalties takes the grey area out of it and it is fairly black and white now. Hopefully, it is something everyone can abide by and it is definitely an improvement on what they suggested first time around.”
Charlie Deutsch reported the “majority” of riders to be happy with the changes and believes it should benefit their equine partners too.
Charlie Deutsch is satisfied with the BHA’s decision (Tim Goode./PA)
He said: “I think it is a better way forward – just the technique is better, basically. And that makes it easier for jockeys to land the whip in the right place.
“With the backhand, you are more likely to get their ribs, instead of their rump. You want to be going for the fleshy backend, which is very important.
“It would have been a big old problem for a few years (if the proposed rules had not been changed), so all credit to the BHA for changing their minds so quickly, so we can get it done, move on and get some good publicity.
“If they have to do something, then they have to be harsh with the way it is going. The majority of the weighing room are happy. I just spoke to the lads towards the latter stages, but left it to the senior jockeys.”
Sean Bowen incurred a ban on Noble Yeats at Aintree last month (Nigel French/PA)
Sean Bowen incurred a four-day ban for his winning ride aboard Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree last month, when the stewards found he had hit his mount in the wrong place as he practiced his backhand whip use in the finish.
He said: “It is massive for me more than a lot of people, because I have always had a backhand issue, trying to get it all the way back you do find sometimes you are hitting the horse in the wrong place in the backhand, I’ve been trying to adapt myself – then the new rules came out last night. I got myself a ban for no reason whatsoever.
“Hitting them in the forehand is the correct way and the penalties go up at the same time, which is also correct.”
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Tom Cannon believes whip rules should be “fairly black and white now” after the British Horseracing Authority revised the proposed changes to the current regulations.
The BHA announced a series of alterations to the rules in the summer, with jockeys only allowed to use the whip in the backhand position and serious breaches of the regulations to result in disqualification from races and possible 28-day bans for riders in major races.
However, further revisions were made to those plans after a number of riders registered their disquiet, with the implementation of the backhand-only position proving a particularly unpopular prospect.
The BHA announced on Wednesday that the forehand position would be allowed, but overall permitted use of the whip in races would be reduced while penalties will be made much stiffer, with 40-day bans a possibility for the worst offences in class one and two races.
Tom Cannon was pleased with the changes (Simon Marper/PA)
Flat riders will be allowed to strike their mounts six times in a race, with jump jockeys allowed seven uses of the whip – a compromise which Cannon feels is satisfactory when combined with tougher penalties.
He said: “They were pushing for us to use the backhand and it is what it is now. The forehand position looks better, it looks better to ride with, better for the horses, so hopefully common sense has prevailed. So, hopefully we can just get on with it now and concentrate on the racing.
“I was involved later on (with discussions) but not to begin with, like a lot of us were. A lot of us were not in the initial discussions, but it got a lot more serious and as time went on and we realised that they were coming in and a lot of us got involved.
“I think common sense has prevailed and while there will be a few bans dotted about, that is going to be the case whatever. We just have to concentrate on the racing now, which won’t be affected.
“We said that using it in the backhand position was not great for the horses, as a lot of jockeys can’t use it properly in that position and you are hitting them down the ribs a lot. That opens up a can of worms in itself.
“Losing one hit and getting stronger penalties takes the grey area out of it and it is fairly black and white now. Hopefully, it is something everyone can abide by and it is definitely an improvement on what they suggested first time around.”
Charlie Deutsch reported the “majority” of riders to be happy with the changes and believes it should benefit their equine partners too.
Charlie Deutsch is satisfied with the BHA’s decision (Tim Goode./PA)
He said: “I think it is a better way forward – just the technique is better, basically. And that makes it easier for jockeys to land the whip in the right place.
“With the backhand, you are more likely to get their ribs, instead of their rump. You want to be going for the fleshy backend, which is very important.
“It would have been a big old problem for a few years (if the proposed rules had not been changed), so all credit to the BHA for changing their minds so quickly, so we can get it done, move on and get some good publicity.
“If they have to do something, then they have to be harsh with the way it is going. The majority of the weighing room are happy. I just spoke to the lads towards the latter stages, but left it to the senior jockeys.”
Sean Bowen incurred a ban on Noble Yeats at Aintree last month (Nigel French/PA)
Sean Bowen incurred a four-day ban for his winning ride aboard Noble Yeats in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree last month, when the stewards found he had hit his mount in the wrong place as he practiced his backhand whip use in the finish.
He said: “It is massive for me more than a lot of people, because I have always had a backhand issue, trying to get it all the way back you do find sometimes you are hitting the horse in the wrong place in the backhand, I’ve been trying to adapt myself – then the new rules came out last night. I got myself a ban for no reason whatsoever.
“Hitting them in the forehand is the correct way and the penalties go up at the same time, which is also correct.”
Bowen welcomed the BHA’s stronger penalty structure, with a minimum ban of four days for exceeding the permitted limit once, rising to 20 days and disqualification for five hits in standard races – a ban that will be doubled for the major contests.
Sean Bowen thinks he will benefit from the BHA’s change in position (Mike Egerton/PA)
He added: “It needs to happen. There were too many jockeys trying to use their backhand, using it above shoulder height and hitting them in the wrong place and it wasn’t going to work. The penalties have gone up and (that) needed to be done and it will stop anyone ever thinking one more will do.
“The boys are delighted. I’ve picked up two or three bans in the last month, trying to use my backhand and trying to get used to it. I’ve done it all for no reason, but the correct decision has been made.
“I think the stewards and also us, when we were trying to do it, we thought at the time it might not be great. But when were were really trying, it wasn’t working whatsoever and everyone realised it was going to be a disaster, especially before Cheltenham and it was going to ruin our sport.”
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