Racing insiders are continually bleating about how 'misunderstood' the sport is when confronted with a seemingly regular stream of largely negative PR; whilst conveniently forgetting that much of it is well earned.
Maybe its my age or stage of life but I am becoming increasingly disturbed and angered by the steady stream of 'excessive whip' cases which the Stipes have been dealing with recently.
I previously posted on the treatment of Al Sahem by jockey Khumalo in the July. He appears to have a more than able competitor in Bernard Fayd'herbe.
Mr Fayd'herbe's brutish riding style first came to my attention a couple of years ago when he bludgeoned the unfortunately named King Of Pain to victory in the Selangor Cup at Kenilworth. I noted to myself at the time that the horse might never win another race after that experience. I was wrong although what appeared to be a very promising career seemed to stall and it was approximately 2 years before the horse won again. I am ashamed to admit that I said nothing.
Fast forward to today. This jockey has picked up no less than two fines for excessive use of the whip in the last fortnight.
On July Day he got fined R1500 for his performance on Ancestry. One wonders what that experience is going to do to a promising 2 year old at the start of his career.
He was back at it less than 2 weeks later when he copped another R1500 for panel beating McDuff. I counted at least 15 blows.
There are two issues here:
How is he escaping suspension? Clearly a R1500 fine is no deterrent.
When are the rules going to be changed to make the punishment appropriate to the stakes on offer?
I would like to see the full riding fee (subject to a minimum of R1500) forfeited if the horse runs unplaced and
At least 50% of commission earned (subject to a minimum of R1500) if the horse earned.
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