Sports

a kennedy

(33,534 posts) Sun May 11, 2025, 06:26 PM May 11

Didn't know they had an amount of how many times you can use the whip on a race horse.....

Junior Alvarado, who rode Sovereignty to victory at last weekend’s Kentucky Derby, has been fined and banned 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. The jockey can appeal his punishment, but has yet to make a statement.

The 38-year-old Alvarado rode Sovereignty to a thrilling victory in last weekend’s race, pulling away from the heavy favorite Journalism down the final stretch. Sovereignty will not compete in this month’s Preakness Stakes, the second leg of US horse racing’s Triple Crown.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/11/alvarado-banned-and-fined-62000-for-overuse-of-whip-in-kentucky-derby-win

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Didn't know they had an amount of how many times you can use the whip on a race horse..... (Original Post) a kennedy May 11 OP

They should get rid of US style horse racing all together Mosby May 11 #1

Is there a whipping counter for every horse in the race? Sneederbunk May 11 #2

About time. Secretariats jockey said he could hear Sham being walloped at the Karadeniz May 11 #3

Ah yes, a "sport" where whipping an animal is only frowned upon flvegan May 12 #4

Six times is all that's allowed..... a kennedy May 12 #5

Mosby

(18,495 posts)

1. They should get rid of US style horse racing all together

Reply to a kennedy (Original post)

Sun May 11, 2025, 06:50 PM

May 11

And go to longer tracks and cross country stuff. Much better for the horses.

Sneederbunk

(16,170 posts)

2. Is there a whipping counter for every horse in the race?

Reply to a kennedy (Original post)

Sun May 11, 2025, 07:33 PM

May 11

Karadeniz

(24,434 posts)

3. About time. Secretariats jockey said he could hear Sham being walloped at the

Reply to a kennedy (Original post)

Sun May 11, 2025, 07:50 PM

May 11

end of the 73 Derby and he felt sorry for Sham. The announcer also commented on how much Sham was being whipped. I read that whipping doesn't do much to increase the speed. It may even slow a horse down.

flvegan

(64,986 posts)

4. Ah yes, a "sport" where whipping an animal is only frowned upon

Reply to a kennedy (Original post)

Mon May 12, 2025, 08:43 AM

May 12

if it exceeds a certain number of times.

Barbarians.

a kennedy

(33,534 posts)

5. Six times is all that's allowed.....

Reply to a kennedy (Original post)

Mon May 12, 2025, 07:17 PM

May 12

Alvarado whipped the bay colt eight times during the race, above the maximum six allowed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. (Just found out the number)

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