IT'S TIME TO #DITCHTHEWHIP

IT'S TIME TO #DITCHTHEWHIP

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It's illegal to beat an animal under current cruelty laws... unless you are a jockey. 

Extensive research has revealed no evidence that whips improve performance times in horse racing or that they make racing safer or fairer for jockeys. Whip rules are difficult to mandate and fines are meaningless compared to the prize money awarded to jockeys.

In 2020, Racing Victoria admitted that the current national whip rules are no longer appropriate, and that whip reform is vital for the future of the sport.

Whips have been banned in Norway and whip-free races are being trialled elsewhere across the world.

It's illegal to beat an animal under current cruelty laws... unless you are a jockey. 

Extensive research has revealed no evidence that whips improve performance times in horse racing or that they make racing safer or fairer for jockeys. Whip rules are difficult to mandate and fines are meaningless compared to the prize money awarded to jockeys.

In 2020, Racing Victoria admitted that the current national whip rules are no longer appropriate, and that whip reform is vital for the future of the sport.

Whips have been banned in Norway and whip-free races are being trialled elsewhere across the world.

SIGN NOW

The racing industry has an exemption to current cruelty laws and it's time to change that once and for all.

Dear Racing Australia,

We the undersigned, fully support a permanent ban on the use of whips in Victorian horse racing. 

We acknowledge the pain and suffering inflicted on horses within the industry and see this vital reform as an important step towards improved equine welfare. 

Current whip rules permit horses to be struck up to five times during a race until the final 100m where the use of the whip is unlimited. Most racing breaches involve over use of the whip before the 100m mark. Many jockeys fail to adhere to current whip rules and recent changes have allowed stewards to exercise more discretion when determining when those breaches take place. As an example, jockeys who exceed five strikes can have their fine revoked if they then abstain from whipping consecutively in the last 100m of the race.

A study in 2018 showed that at least three quarters of surveyed Australians objected to the use of the whip. Similarly, 87% of surveyed horse racing punters said they would continue to participate if the rules were changed to prohibit whipping. In 2020, Racing Victoria admitted that the current national whip rules are no longer appropriate, and that whip reform is vital for the future of the sport.

Extensive research has revealed no evidence that whips improve performance times in horse racing or that they make racing safer or fairer for jockeys. 

It's time for Victoria to lead the way by permanently banning the use of whips in horse racing. 

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