From the Stewards Report at the Winterthur Steeplechase in Delaware May 4:
“The Stewards reviewed the replays of the 3rd race with Jockey Jordan Canavan and asked him to count the number of strikes he had made. Both he and the Stewards counted 10 strikes [emphasis mine]. Per the ‘Revised NSA Whip Policy’ of July 11, 2023 – ‘Stewards will remain cognizant and enforce the limited strike rule of 6 and will disqualify a horse for 10 strikes or more’ – the Stewards found that Canavan had struck his horse [Fast Vision] 10 times. Canavan was fined $500 and suspended one day.”
Isn’t that nice, they counted the lashes together. And the “policy” was only adjusted two years ago? And doesn’t the fact that they place limits on the number of “strikes” in the first place give the lie to the “crop as but a painless guide”?
And more from the Willowdale Steeplechase in PA this past Saturday:
“The Stewards reviewed the run of Justin Batoff on Storm Team while finishing third. The Stewards counted 16 strikes delivered. Batoff was invited to view the video. The decision was made to fine Batoff $500 and to [suspend him one race day].”
Storm Team, by the way, is 11 years old, and this was his fourth steeplechase in less than a month. Cruelty, thy name is horseracing.
Perfectly said Wanda 💯
A measly $500 fine and one day suspension is an absolute joke!
Misuse and overuse of whips lead to pain, fear, and long-term behavioral issues in horses. Junior Alvarado, who rode the horse Sovereignty to victory at this year’s Kentucky Derby, is considering an appeal against the fine and ban he received for overuse of his whip during the race. The jockey was found to have used the whip “more than the permitted amount” the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) said on Saturday. Under HISA regulations, jockeys are allowed to strike their horse six times during a race; Alvarado used the whip on Sovereignty eight times. It was his second such offense in the last 180 days, meaning his fine was doubled to $62,000 – 20% of his winnings from the Kentucky Derby. Alvarado was also banned for two Kentucky racing days, on 29 and 30 May.
Before we knew better in practice races we never whipped a horse > 3 times. More than that had no effect from our experience. Now when riding our own Thoroughbreds never carry let alone use one. Before leaving the track forever we proved our point by attaining the fastest workout of the day from a horse that no one that had any speed without the use or carrying of a whip. Last Peak & us had a good trusting relationship which is what being around horses is all about.
Fourth steeplechase in a month, 11 years old and being whipped incessantly by the jockey; so who is the “authority” responsible for allowing this horse to be raced over jumps that ridiculous number of times? The stewards should be fined at least for not stopping the excessive degree of abuse of forcing a horse to gallop carrying the weight of a whip wielding rider for the long distances steeplechase races are run.
Besides the owner and trainer, who is responsible for not saying something to spare the horse? It has to be the stewards, the commissioners, the veterinarians. These people have no mercy on the horses they exploit.