Jockeys’ representatives will urge British racecourse stewards to use more discretion when applying the whip rules when they meet with the British Horseracing Authority on Friday.
The rules have proved difficult to put into practice since being introduced in October, although it had been hoped changes made last November would improve the situation.
But the issue has been thrust back into the spotlight during the last week, with Robert Winston receiving a 22-day suspension at Southwell last Thursday and amateur Robert Cooper getting 52 days at Fontwell on the same afternoon.
Will Kennedy was handed a seven-day ban and lost his prize money percentage after winning the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday on board Swincombe Flame.
Kevin Darley, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: “The PJA is looking forward to the first formal opportunity since last year to discussing with the British Horseracing Authority the current rules concerning the using of the whip.
“We will participate in and contribute to the review group meeting on Friday, which has been scheduled for some time, and make constructive suggestions on the best way forward.
“Jockeys have a number of ongoing concerns about the rules as they stand and are committed to working in a positive way with the regulator to address them.
“In particular, we do not believe that additional discretion for the stewards – which the BHA outlined in November – is being used sufficiently.
“There have been examples since the latest amendments to the rules when jockeys believe discretion could have been used, but it has not been.
“There are also concerns about the way in which some of the rules are being implemented and we will make those points on Friday.
“There are still challenges to be overcome and jockeys collectively will continue to work positively and constructively with the BHA to resolve these issues.”
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