Inquiry: Did jockey beat horse with modified whip?

October 22 2009

The RSPCA is following the ongoing steward’s inquiry into allegations that a jockey inserted metal objects into a padded whip and used that device in races and trials between 1st August 2009 and 3rd October 2009.

The inquiry into Apprentice Duncan Miller, which began October 3, will reconvene on Monday, October 26 in the RWWA Stewards Room, Ascot Racecourse.

“This is a matter of interest not only to the racing industry but to everyone who thinks that whipping a horse is cruel,” said Richard Barry, spokesman for the RSPCA in Western Australia. “We look forward to the truth emerging in this matter on Tuesday and discovering whether or not a professional jockey would convert a padded whip into an improvised mace, simply to win races.

"Bludgeoning horses with this sort of improvised weapon is extremely serious and the Society willl be scrutinising these events with considerable vigour."

At the same time, the RSPCA has expressed its deep concerns after three jockeys were fined for excessive use of the whip during the recent Caulfield Cup in a shameful display of cruelty.

The worst offender whipped his horse 16 times before the final 100m - 10 more strikes than is allowed. His $3,000 fine pales in comparison to the $2.5 million in prize money up for grabs.

One racing commentator called it 'a fineathon' with fines handed out to three of the first four jockeys home.

Chris Munce on Daffodil was fined $3,000 for hitting his horse 16 times before the final 100 metres. This vicious whipping continued despite the horse suffering an injury halfway through the race.

Winning jockey Brad Rawiller was given a $500 penalty for hitting Viewed five times in a row prior to the final 100 metres and Corey Brown, Vigor's jockey, was fined $250 for hitting the third placegetter on consecutive strides on two occasions prior to the final 100 metres.

“Every time a fine is handed out to these pseudo-athletes for excessive whipping, a horse has suffered,” said Barry. “The jockeys don’t care about their tiny fines and they certainly don’t care about the welfare of the horses they are whipping. The fact that one of their ilk is also being investigated for using metal modifications in his whip sums this industry up and the RSPCA is determined to ensure the whole country is aware of what it is capable of doing to horses just to make a few bucks.”

To register your concern about the use of whips in horse racing email the Australian Racing Board