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The British Horseracing Authority has announced further amendments to the new whip rules that have infuriated jockeys since they were introduced on 10 October.

The latest concessions include reducing the penalties, reinstating the Group 1/Grade 1 exemptions for jockeys incurring bans of four days or less and allowing racecourse stewards more discretion when dealing with whip offences.

The regulatory body hopes the changes will stave off any threat of protest action by jump jockeys at the three-day Cheltenham Open meeting, which gets under way on Friday.

The BHA summarised the latest changes - which can be viewed in full here - as follows:

*Penalties: Penalties imposed for excessive frequency have been lessened (for a defined monitoring period of the current Jumps season).

*Group 1 / Grade 1 Exemptions: Group 1 / Grade 1 exemptions for whip offences shall be reinstated for whip rule breaches attracting penalties of four days suspension or less. This brings the whip regulations into line with other offences.

*Discretion: The Stewards will have enhanced discretion when it comes to the use of the whip, and whether specific uses should count towards the race total, on a case-by-case basis.

*Monitoring: Should the PJA itself set up a group to monitor and assess the impact of the new Rules, focusing in particular on practical issues as they relate to Jump racing but overall not limited in its scope, then clear terms of engagement between this Group and the BHA will be developed. This will result in formal, structured dialogue which will take place throughout the Jumps season, with the BHA also continuing and enhancing its own monitoring procedures.

Paul Roy (pictured), Chairman of the BHA, said: "These developments represent a carefully considered and measured response to both our monitoring procedures and constant dialogue with the PJA and other relevant parties.

"A key purpose of the Review was to achieve behavioural change. This absolutely remains the case, and the same high standards of good horsemanship and equine welfare remain at the heart of our approach to the whip. We are encouraged that we have seen a great deal of behavioural change in a short time period since the implementation of the recommendations of the Review.

"However, in terms of the specific Rules and penalties themselves, it has always been our position that we will constantly monitor how jockeys are adapting. If by making adjustments we can achieve behavioural change more effectively, then as a responsible regulator we should do that.

"There were fundamental reasons for the changes we introduced last month. They were for the good of the sport and its long-term health, including all its participants, and all groups consulted agreed that new Rules were needed. The sport as a whole now needs to cooperate to make the new Rules work, and move forward to achieve what we all want to see – a firm but fair set of Rules that promote competitive racing, and safeguard welfare and the reputation of British Racing.”

The PJA gave a guarded welcome to the changes, but said they did not go far enough and more needed to be done.

Chief Executive Kevin Darley said: “The PJA has endeavoured to engage constructively with the British Horseracing Authority by suggesting amendments to the whip rules that would retain appropriate constraints on acceptable use but make them workable in practice for the majority of Jockeys. These changes are a step in the right direction, but we have no doubt that there is still more to be done. The rules and penalties as amended are still too strict, and there will inevitably be more difficulties to overcome in the weeks and months ahead.

“In particular, the PJA will continue to press the BHA concerning the period that minor offences remain on a jockeys’ record. Twelve months is far too long.

“We welcome the engagement that the BHA plans to have with Jockeys between now and the end of the jump racing season as the ongoing situation is monitored. As such, the PJA is establishing its own review group.

“We also welcome the amended guidance to stewards that will allow them more discretion and a greater degree of flexibility. The whip is an essential tool of a Jockey’s trade and, when he or she is using it properly to ensure momentum, safety and correction, then that must be taken into account under the rules.”

10 November 2011