Murray Fish

oh dear me... https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/53394/1/Race-Detail.aspx

doh! I have not been looking a them lately, popped in to see if a young rider was having any rides and see that they not longer have the Trainers and Rider options? am I missing something? or have they dropped them?

we were going to go! noted the weather! cancelled and headed off to Cromwell for 3 days instead! 4c out side, with a serious wind chill.. snow not to far up the hills!

surprised to see so many don't have a photo up.

8 going for 1,000 wow..

and the irony of how more and more historically has been bet on the 'oz product' v NZ... what odds the new total monopoly just takes more and more and more... sigh

noted. we actually book accommodation for that last meeting, but cancelled when the notice re track inspection kicked in... sigh, will have a look at that spring meeting.

“In a time when perception matters more than ever, this is a welcome and timely step forward.” “This isn’t about PR or spin. It’s about showing people what actually happens and trusting that the truth speaks for itself.” I quest it might be time for me to head off to the back paddock and bring in the full sister to the great Pinocchio! I be willing to sell 5% shares at $10000. Planning to set resulting strapping young colt for the G1 two year old races and then later go for the Derby and as a 4 year old either the Cox Plate or Melbourne Cup, though will keep open having a go at the Everest! Aldous Huxley has agreed to take a small share and also train the champ for us!!! Regards, George Orwell ps, minimal propaganda was used in this post!

How in a Capitalist economy can a large multinational be allowed to form a total monopoly? Claiming amongst other things that it will allow them to better deal with problem gambling??? While at the same time be screwing the punter with ever large 'take outs'! Yeah Right!!! I presume that these 'leading' capitalist are in support of this new monopoly? "Vela is joined by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, big-time investor and breeder Greg Tomlinson, Ken Breckon, who owns giant harness racing operation Breckon Farms, and in a huge coup, champion expat trainer Chris Waller." ps. Does CER come into play?

yeah right!

fecking delusional... for me! it just strengthens my resolve to totally retired from racing and betting... date locked in, 3/3/26 tick!

curry favour phrase of curry ingratiate oneself with someone through obsequious behaviour.

`T, I don't think you curry much favour using language like the above. Many workers go to work and make errors of judgement!

yip, that is partly why I put the post up... it is especially weak for Racing History, especially around facts! partly down to the crap strategic decisions from HO around their data base...

to the question: What initiatives exist to educate youth about gambling risks? New Zealand has been stepping up its efforts to educate young people about gambling risks through a mix of school-based programs, public health strategies, and community outreach. Here are some key initiatives: Tūturu Program: Developed by the New Zealand Drug Foundation, this initiative integrates gambling education into school curricula. It emphasizes real-life decision-making and wellbeing, helping students understand gambling risks in the context of broader life choices. Government Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm: Backed by a $76 million investment, this national strategy includes education initiatives specifically targeting rangatahi (young people). It also funds digital tools, peer support networks, and culturally tailored resources for Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities. Safer Gambling Aotearoa Campaign: This public awareness campaign promotes early recognition of harmful gambling behaviors. It uses posters, digital content, and community events to encourage young people to seek help and support others. Gamble Host Resources: These are training and education materials aimed at venues that offer gambling, but they also include youth-focused content to raise awareness and promote safer environments. If you're curious, I can also help you explore how these programs are being received by young people or how they compare to international efforts. Want to dig deeper?

to the question: what do young adults think about gambling? Young adults in New Zealand have a complex and evolving relationship with gambling. Here's what recent research and surveys reveal: Participation is common: Around 46% of youth aged 16–24 reported gambling in the past year, with many engaging through online platforms, sports betting, or gaming apps that blur the line between play and wagering. Awareness of harm is growing: While some young people see gambling as a social or casual activity, a significant number express concern. In one study, 11% of secondary school students who had gambled were worried about their own behavior. Cultural and equity factors matter: Gambling harm tends to disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific, and Asian youth, especially in high-deprivation communities. Advertising and accessibility: The rise of targeted ads and gambling-like features in games has made it harder for young people to recognize when they're engaging in risky behavior. So while gambling might seem like just another form of entertainment to some, many young adults are becoming more aware of its risks and the need for balance. Want to explore how schools or communities are addressing this? Or maybe how gambling compares to other habits like gaming or social media use?

(playing with A.I. copilot) Horse racing in New Zealand has a long-standing cultural presence, but its popularity among young adults is a bit of a mixed bag. A study focusing on 20–30-year-olds found that while many young visitors don’t prioritize the sporting or gambling aspects of horse racing, they’re still drawn to racetrack events—especially during the summer high season—for the social atmosphere and entertainment. Interestingly, even during the quieter winter months, young adults continue to attend, with nearly half of surveyed attendees saying they came primarily to gamble, and 59% betting on nearly every race. So while horse racing might not be a top-tier sport for young Kiwis in terms of fandom, it still holds appeal as a social outing and occasional thrill, especially when paired with events, fashion, and festivities. Curious how it compares to other sports or events young adults are into these days?

https://thestraight.com.au/tail-of-the-tape-a-report-card-on-2024s-million-dollar-yearlings/?ref=straight-up-newsletter

Forty-two yearlings sold for $1 million or more during the 2024 Australasian sales season. As that crop are about to turn three years of age, The Straight checks out how they have fared so far on the racetrack. Devil Night is the flagbearer for the seven-figure yearling graduates of 2024. (Photo: Bronwen Healy) When an I Am Invincible colt sold for $1.2 million at the 2024 yearling sales, he was one of 42 yearlings among the thousands sold during the year to leave the auction ring with at least a seven-figure price tag. Consigned by Segenhoe Stud at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, the colt attracted more interest than most with handsome looks and conformation complementing the depth of his pedigree. As a son of a champion sire out of Anaheed, a Fastnet Rock mare who earned more than $1.5 million on the racetrack courtesy of three Group 2 wins and a Group 1 placing in the Manikato Stakes, expectations would have been high. Twelve months earlier, the colt’s older sibling, named Superluminal, became at the time the most expensive yearling by I Am Invincible sold at auction, fetching $2.7 million and topping the Magic Millions sale when bought by Coolmore. This time, it was a Newgate Stud Farm syndicate that stepped up, securing the winning bid in Sydney before following Coolmore’s lead and placing the horse with champion trainer Chris Waller. Fast-forward to last month, the colt, named All Star, appeared among almost 350 entries catalogued on the Inglis Digital platform with an upfront and honest appraisal. “All Star is one of the best-looking horses to have been sold at any yearling sale in 2024,” the sales description read. “So far, he has only shown limited ability; however, with more time to mature, he could potentially improve.” The business model under which colts’ syndicates, like those belonging to Newgate, Coolmore and bloodstock agent James Harron, focus on chasing speed for the Australian market. Hits and misses are an accepted part of doing business at the top end of the industry, knowing that one standout colt can balance the books for the ones that aren’t so good. Such is the high benchmark of racetrack success required by this model, a ‘miss’ in the view of a colts fund will not be considered a miss by others in the market. A future metro winner, or even gelded stakes winner holds more value for a trainer than it does for a studmaster. That’s why All Star has been moved on, selling for $60,000 to the bid of Hawkesbury-based trainer Fabio Martino. The sale matched the price that Superluminal made online in November, knocked down online to clients of leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan. Waller gave All Star two starts but 50 per cent of the seven-figure yearlings purchased across sales in 2024 which includes 26 colts and 16 fillies, have yet to make it to the races. This group includes four of the five top-priced Lots, headlined by Quinceanera, the daughter of champion racemare Winx. Quinceanera smashed the Australasian record for a yearling at auction when sold for $10 million to Winx’s part-owner Debbie Kepitis at Easter last year. She is yet to be seen in a public trial with just over a month of her two-year-old season remaining. The most expensive 2024 graduate to make it to the racetrack so far is Ernaux, an Easter purchase for American investor John Stewart, a much-publicised underbidder on Quinceanera. Ernaux is the second foal of Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker and was signed for under the banner of Stewart’s Resolute Racing for $3 million. The filly, which also includes Coolmore in her ownership, has raced twice at a midweek level in Sydney for as many placings. Her Waller stablemates Wodeton and Central Coast, both by Wootton Bassett and each raced in Coolmore interests, are two of only seven individual winners so far from the 2024 million-dollar club. At this stage, Wodeton is the most experienced - and the most accomplished. Bought for $1.6 million, Wodeton has raced five times for a Sydney metropolitan win in January but his potential has been underlined with a runner-up finish in the Golden Slipper and two other stakes placings. Wodeton, who has banked $1.1 million in stakes, promises to be a genuine spring contender and a Group 1 win will rubber-stamp his place on Coolmore’s roster. Central Coast has also been earmarked for the spring after breaking through in Sydney last week. A blueblood colt as a son of Wootton Bassett from the outstanding racemare Sunlight, Central Coast was a $1.4 million Easter buy. Waiting for them when the races start to get serious will be Devil Night, a $1.4 million Extreme Choice colt already assured of a spot on Yulong’s stallion roster. Devil Night, who hails from the Hawkes Racing barn, recouped his purchase in three juvenile starts, highlighted by his Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes win. Across the Tasman, Snitzel’s Return To Conquer emerged from the season with the best record among his million-dollar contemporaries with an unblemished record for Te Akau Racing. Costing $1.3 million at Magic Millions, Return To Conquer is undefeated in four starts. Return To Conquer ended his season in style, winning the Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie to bring up Te Akau principal David Ellis’ 100th Group 1 success. As of June 23, with five weeks of the Australian racing season left, other 2024 seven-figure purchases to have won include Conscience ($1.4 million - Magic Millions), Farcited ($1.2 million - Magic Millions) and Hi Barbie ($1.2 million - Magic Millions). Successful in the Phelan Ready Plate at Listed level, Hi Barbie is the only filly among the 26 sold for $1 million or more last year to win a race. Fermoy, a Zoustar colt who was the equal highest-priced male sold in 2024 at $1.9 million, is yet to win in three appearances but he is a city placegetter who was sent to the spelling paddock after coming up short in the autumn. Trial By Fire, a son of Too Darn Hot who also cost $1.9 million, seems on course for a late-season start after two recent Sydney barrier trials. Two colts remain unnamed - a $1.15 million I Am Invincible and a $1 million Zoustar who hails from Atlantic Jewel’s family. List of million-dollar yearlings from 2024 Name Trainer Stallion Dam Sex Price Buyer Sale Performance Quinceanera Chris Waller Pierro Winx F $10,000,000 Woppitt Bloodstock Pty Ltd, NSW Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Ernaux Chris Waller I Am Invincible Booker F $3,000,000 Resolute Racing Easter Yearling Sale Placed Plaintiff Peter Snowden Zoustar Prompt Response F $2,200,000 James Harron B/stock Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Avantaggia Mark Walker Wootton Bassett Avantage F $2,100,000 D C Ellis CNZM BANZ Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Fermoy Chris Waller Zoustar Fundamentalist C $1,900,000 T Magnier Easter Yearling Sale Placed Trial By Fire Ciaron Maher Too Darn Hot A Time for Julia C $1,900,000 Ciaron Maher B/stock/David Redvers B/stock Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Thalestris Anthony and Sam Freedman I Am Invincible Notting Hill F $1,800,000 Hilldene Farm Easter Yearling Sale Unraced United States Chris Waller Snitzel Warranty C $1,750,000 Tom Magnier Gold Coast Yearling Sale Placed Rosie Rouge Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott I Am Invincible Madam Rouge F $1,700,000 Jes Sikura/Hill 'n' Dale Farm/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unplaced Guardsman Michael Freedman Extreme Choice Wanted Lady C $1,600,000 James Harron B/stock Colt Partnership Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unplaced Wodeton Chris Waller Wootton Bassett Fiera Vista C $1,600,000 Tom Magnier Gold Coast Yearling Sale Winner/SP Seychelles Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman Proisir Donna Marie F $1,600,000 Moody Racing NZB National Yearling Sale Unraced Tuscany Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Zoustar Summer Sham C $1,550,000 China Horse Club / Newgate / Go B/stock / Trilogy Easter Yearling Sale Unplaced Columbus Les Bridge Dundeel Tides C $1,500,000 Dean Hawthorne B/stock / Alpha Syndicate Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Tour De France Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Extreme Choice Euroboss C $1,450,000 Rosemont Stud/Suman Hedge B/stock FBAA/Gai Waterhouse /Adrian Bott Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Glory Awaits Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Extreme Choice Tempt Me Not C $1,400,000 Go B/stock Australia / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Central Coast Chris Waller Wootton Bassett Sunlight C $1,400,000 Paul Moroney B/stock / C Bruggeman Easter Yearling Sale Winner Devil Night Hawkes Racing Extreme Choice Mischief Night C $1,400,000 Highway Farm Gold Coast Yearling Sale G1 winner Conscience Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman Snitzel In Times of War F $1,400,000 TFI/Moody Racing/James Harron B/stock Gold Coast Yearling Sale Winner Chicama Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Written Tycoon The Broken Shore C $1,350,000 China Horse Club / Newgate / Go B/stock / Trilogy Easter Yearling Sale Placed Constellation Chris Waller Justify Crystal Fountain C $1,300,000 Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster B/stock Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Valedictorian Michael Freedman Zoustar Lady Cosmology C $1,300,000 James Harron B/stock Colt Partnership Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unplaced Condone Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Justify Invincible Star C $1,300,000 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel T/breds Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Tower Bridge Mark Walker I Am Invincible Palace Talk C $1,300,000 D C Ellis CNZM BANZ/Tom Magnier Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Return To Conquer Mark Walker Snitzel Vaujany C $1,300,000 D C Ellis CNZM BANZ Gold Coast Yearling Sale G1 winner Boa Vista Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr Snitzel Serena Bay F $1,250,000 Sheamus Mills B/stock FBAA Gold Coast Yearling Sale Stakes placed Pimlico John O'Shea and Tom Charlton Extreme Choice Coco as in Chanel C $1,200,000 Rosemont Stud / John O'Shea Racing / Suman Hedge Bloodstock Easter Yearling Sale Placed All Star Chris Waller to Fabio Martino I Am Invincible Anaheed C $1,200,000 China Horse Club / Newgate / Go B/stock / Trilogy Easter Yearling Sale Unplaced Farcited Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Farnan I Am Excited C $1,200,000 Waterhouse & Bott/Kia Ora/Farnan Partnership/Mt Hallowell Gold Coast Yearling Sale Winner/SP Hi Barbie Tony Gollan I Am Invincible Outback Barbie F $1,200,000 Gollan Racing/Jennifer Acton Gold Coast Yearling Sale Listed winner unnamed Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott I Am Invincible Adrift C $1,150,000 Kia Ora / TFI / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Kerber Ciaron Maher to Chris Waller I Am Invincible Eloping F $1,150,000 Belmont B/stock Agency FBAA Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unplaced Shinjina Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman Snitzel Hips Don't Lie F $1,100,000 Kia Ora / TFI Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Fury Of Flight Mark Walker Zoustar Ready to Soar C $1,100,000 D C Ellis CNZM BANZ Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Aloisi Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr Snitzel All Too Soon C $1,100,000 Rosemont Stud / Suman Hedge B/stock FBAA Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Jet Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Zoustar Villami C $1,000,000 James Harron B/stock Colt Partnership Gold Coast Yearling Sale Placed Federalist Hawkes Racing I Am Invincible Arcadia Queen C $1,000,000 Hawkes Racing Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unplaced Kalgoorlie Girl Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Frankel Cercle d'Or F $1,000,000 Matt Houldsworth/Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Exigent Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Exceed and Excel Dame Giselle F $1,000,000 Kia Ora / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / Kestrel Thorughbreds Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Unnamed Lindsay Park Zoustar Atlantic Emerald C $1,000,000 Huang Kai Wen / Bridle B/stock Easter Yearling Sale Unraced Superior Dame Robbie Griffiths Ole Kirk Supara F $1,000,000 Griffiths De Kock Fillies Partnership/Peter Ford Thorughbreds Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced La Basiique Chris Waller I Am Invincible Vezalay F $1,000,000 Highway Farm Gold Coast Yearling Sale Unraced Breeding and BloodstockNews

A young fella worth following... He already has a successful background in Martial Arts! Apprentice jockey Jack Taplin pictured following riding his first winner at Tauranga last Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Taplin rekindles family legacy with first winner Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 23 June 2025 The Taplin name has been absent from New Zealand racebooks over the past couple of years, but that all changed on Saturday at Tauranga when emerging apprentice Jack Taplin rode his first winner aboard Pacifico. Indentured to Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, Taplin had ridden Group One winner Mercurial and Group One performer Harlech on his opening day at the races at Te Rapa and then came close to breaking through during the week at Cambridge, with a runner-up result aboard Billy Lincoln. Prepared by Andrew Forsman, Pacifico was Taplin’s sole ride at the Tauranga meeting, starting second-favourite behind Monday Melody in the Michael Montgomery Memorial (1600m). With the advantage of the inside draw and a four-kilogram claim, Pacifico found the lead with relative ease. Having crossed from a wide draw, Maldini sat outside the leader through the mid-stages, but was directed wide in the straight by Michael McNab, while Taplin hugged the rail and went for home on Pacifico. It came right down to the wire, but Pacifico had the edge late to deliver for Taplin and his father Ian, who was on course. “He jumped away well enough and cruised up to the front,” Taplin said. “I spoke with Mr Forsman and we watched the race beforehand and made a decision to stick to the rail. With the four kilos off, it definitely helped. “It was awesome and pretty extraordinary to have Dad over here, he came over last week for my first ride and he thought, ‘bugger it, I’ll stay’, because I had Billy Lincoln on Wednesday, who we thought would go really close. “After that, he decided to just stay on again for Saturday, and he was over the moon with excitement.” The 21-year-old was born and raised in Southland, with his mother Kerry Taplin training thoroughbreds for over 20 years, accumulating 177 wins domestically, 60 of those in partnership with Ian. They prepared horses, often with names associated with ‘Tap’, from their dairy farm at Isla Bank. In mid-2022, the couple decided to pursue their dream of breeding and training horses in Australia and relocated to the Sunshine Coast, where Taplin became more involved in the industry. While working for his parents, he was also closely associated with Sheila Laxon and her Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Knight’s Choice. “I was around the horses growing up down south and rode trackwork when I was younger, then when I was about 16, I stepped away from the racing for a few years,” Taplin said. “I really got back into it when we moved over to Australia, working for Sheila Laxon and my parents. I rode Knight’s Choice in trackwork for a long time and I took him down to Sydney for the Golden Eagle (A$10 million, 1500m), so seeing him win the Melbourne Cup was pretty awesome. “For Mum and Dad, there have been a few standouts, including the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) in New Zealand with Ritani. I’d actually flown back from Australia that day and surprised them on course, and she won. “A couple of years ago, we took a horse (Tapildoodledo) down to Sydney for the Tulloch Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m), it was the lead-up to the Derby and a Group Two. We’d set him up for the race and he managed to win at Rosehill, which was a huge thrill.” Laxon was the first to present the idea of an apprenticeship to Taplin, and after assessing his options, returning to his home country appealed, albeit with a big shift in climate. “About two years ago, Sheila asked me how light I was, and I was quite light, so she said ‘why don’t you be a jockey?’,” he said. “I thought I’d give it a go, but in Queensland, it takes a long time to get the paperwork and everything through to become an apprentice. Dad knows Rick Williams really well, so he gave him a ring and because Rick has horses with Stephen, he pointed us in his direction, which was a big help. “I’ve been here for about two months and I don’t mind the cold, so it’s not too bad, but it is a hell of a difference coming from a very, very hot summer in Queensland over the last six months or so. “It’s a bit of a shock to the body, but I’m getting used to it now.” Taplin hopes to continue his winning momentum at Pukekohe on Wednesday, with three rides secured across the meeting. The first of those, Intoxicated, will represent the Marsh barn in the Stella Artois 1600, while Ortega lines up in the Trackside.co.nz 1400. “I’ve got three rides at Pukekohe at the moment, then I’ll speak to Stephen in the morning about whether I’ll go down to Trentham or up to Ruakaka on Saturday,” Taplin said. “I’ve ridden both horses quite a lot in trackwork and Intoxicated is probably my best chance of the day, he’s working well and is in good form. Ortega won a couple of starts ago and she’ll be a fair chance as well, she’ll relish the ground there.” Completing his book of rides is Arjay’s Flight, a Shaun Phelan-trained gelding contesting the Horizon By SkyCity 1600.

a link to the article.. with tags at the bottom of the article https://theconversation.com/the-horseracing-industry-is-ignoring-what-science-says-about-whipping-188943

while some members of BOAY might have experience with the use of the whip! for those that don't!!!

I was trying to find stats for NZ on opinions of using the whip, could find any, but did find this The horseracing industry is ignoring what science says about whipping Published: September 16, 2022 5.11am NZST Updated: September 28, 2022 11.00pm NZDT Authors Paul McGreevy Professor of Animal Behaviour and Welfare, University of New England Bidda Jones Honorary Associate, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney Disclosure statement Professor Paul McGreevy is an Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Equitation Science and a life member of the RSPCA NSW. He has received funding from the Australian Research Council for research into the welfare of racing Thoroughbreds. He occasionally conducts research funded by the RSPCA Australia. Bidda Jones is employed by the Australian Alliance for Animals. She is a member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Welfare Working Group which provides independent advice to the Australian Thoroughbred breeding industry. When the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) released its recent whip consultation report, it claimed to have consulted the science. But it insists whipping when done “correctly” shouldn’t hurt horses and fails to substantively recommend that the racing industry changes its approach to the way whips are used. The BHA recognises two uses of the whip. For encouragement, to activate the horse or trigger a gear change in speed. And for safety of the horse and rider such as when jumping an obstacle. It recommends that whipping “for safety and encouragement” should continue. Industry leaders and jockeys say that whip use is essential to keep horses and jockeys safe. The BHA report says using a whip as a form of “encouragement” acts “as an aid to activate the horse, which motivates a horse to give of its best and realise its potential in a race”. This gives the impression that striking horses with a partially padded rod is in their interest, like making your children eat their vegetables. But the scientific research into how horses experience whipping reveals a different story. Horses evolved to run away from painful pressure on their hindquarters, given the most likely natural cause of such stimulation is contact from a predator. Whips evoke this evolutionary response to deter horses from slowing down in the closing stages of a race. But, in contrast to contact from a pursuing predator, whip strikes from a jockey are totally inescapable and so may give horses a sense of learned helplessness. A 2020 study showed that horses’ skin is just as sensitive as humans’ by comparing skin samples under the microscope and exploring any differences in their skin structure and nerve supply. It found the outer layer of horses’ skin is no thicker (or more protective) than in humans. So if whip strikes cause pain to humans, they are likely to hurt horses. When it comes to changing a horse’s behaviour, whips are used in racing as a form of punishment (for its failure to perform), not encouragement (to realise its potential).What the report says What the report says The report recommends one change to the way whips are used: to restrict their use for “encouragement” to the backhand position only. In racing, whips are held like a ski pole (backhand) or like a tennis racquet (forehand). The BHA’s rationale for moving to backhand-only strikes is that “the backhand discourages a wide arm action, which is not only neater and more stylish it also reduces the likelihood that the whip will be used with excessive force and/or from above shoulder height”. The report adds that “it is more difficult, though of course not impossible, to strike a horse with excessive force from the backhand position”. Yet a 2013 study, not listed in the BHA report, showed that when jockeys whipped with their dominant hand, they struck with more force in the backhand than the forehand position. Stylish or not, promoting backhand strikes is bad for horses if forehand strikes are milder. The report also recommended the BHA, on behalf of the racing industry, should commission and support objective research into the effects of the whip, using scientific advances to inform its policy. Conspicuously, it failed to specify what more science was needed. The BHA says whipping is used as a form of encouragement. Lukas Gojda/Shutterstock When the BHA reviewed whipping in 2011, it also concluded that whipping stimulates a horse and doesn’t cause pain. This time around, the report confined itself to simply providing a list of papers published since 2011 about whipping, without discussing any of them. The 2022 report reveals that this year some panel members felt there was enough evidence to remove the use of whips for “encouragement” now. So why the call for “more science”? What about safety? The report says “in general, a focused, appropriately activated horse will tend to race more safely”, but it does not elaborate further on how whipping keeps a horse and jockey safe. This view runs counter to a 2020 study (listed, but not discussed, in the report) which compared whipping-free races for apprentices (in which whips are held but not used) with races in which the actual use of the whip is allowed. Races of both types were meticulously matched for racecourse, distance, number of horses starting each race, and “the going” (turf conditions on the day). A detailed analysis of stewards’ post-race reports revealed no difference between the two race types in movement of horses across the track and interference with other horses. There was no evidence that whipping improved safety. Do whips improve performance? The received wisdom is that whipping a horse makes it more likely to win. However, a landmark study published in 2011 showed increased whipping does not significantly affect a horse’s speed at the finishing line. This reflects the reality that, as they finish a race, most horses are losing speed because they are fatigued. The comparison study mentioned above also found no difference in finishing times between whipping-free and conventional races. While the ethics of promoting gambling is a different debate entirely, whip-free races in Norway and the UK still allow people to bet. It may even be more attractive to sponsors seeking assurance their brand is associated only with ethical activities. What others think A spokesperson for the BHA told The Conversation: “The BHA’s whip review was the most detailed and rigorous of its type carried out by a racing body. It included a detailed public consultation, and recommendations were made by a steering group which contained expertise from across the racing and equine industry, alongside neutral and external participants including from the equine welfare sector and government. "It included detailed consideration of public sentiment and the scientific landscape. It should be noted that the whip can only be used in racing for safety, correction, or to activate or encourage a horse, never to coerce. As a result of the whip review British racing will now have amongst the most strict and innovative whip rules in world racing.” All horse riding, including so-called natural horsemanship, involves some form of negative reinforcement. This involves applying pressure until the horse responds the way you want it to. A position statement from the International Society for Equitation Science says trainers should use minimal force and avoid punishing horses or making them feel scared. They oppose jockeys whipping horses to improve their position in a race. Animal ethicists say people should apply the precautionary principle and “err on the side of caution” when animals are made to participate in human activities. But the BHA rejected the precautionary principle because of the “proportionality of the principle in relation to this issue”. In contrast, the website of the charity World Horse Welfare states: “We need to assume that if a procedure causes pain in humans and leads to a response in horses, then it causes that response by causing pain.” It concludes that whipping for encouragement should be banned. Photographic evidence that the padded whip can leave welts on horses underscores this point. An Animal Aid-funded 2018 YouGov study found that 68% of adult respondents in the UK either oppose (30%) or strongly oppose (38%) the use of the whip in racing. When excluding those who did not express an opinion on the issue, the number of respondents who oppose or strongly oppose the use of the whip in racing rose to 83%. The turning tide Groups that the BHA once considered allies are now openly criticising its stance on whipping. In part as a result of the 2022 consultation, the RSPCA (England and Wales) and World Horse Welfare have withdrawn support on whipping horses for encouragement. It is easy to see why whipping in horseracing has become a touchstone issue, disliked by the majority of the public and a central threat to racing and other equestrian sports’ social license to operate. When the justification for whipping tired horses comes down to semantics, how much longer will society tolerate this violent form of “encouragement”? This article was changed on September 23 2022 from “But it insists whipping doesn’t hurt horses” to “But it insists whipping when done "correctly” shouldn’t hurt horses and fails to substantively recommend that the racing industry changes its approach". This article was changed on September 28 to “But it insists whipping when done "correctly” doesn’t hurt horses and fails to substantively recommend that the racing industry changes its approach.“

Prof AI reckons " See all linksSee reasoning Images Videos Whipping in thoroughbred racing in New Zealand has been increasingly criticized for its negative impacts on horse behavior and welfare, prompting discussions about regulation changes and potential bans. Impact on Horse Behavior Research indicates that the use of whips during races often causes physical and psychological harm to horses. Whipping can lead to behavioral responses such as increased anxiety and stress, which may be visible through signs like tail swishing, pinned ears, or erratic movements. Horses that are subjected to whipping may experience desensitization, making them less responsive over time, which can lead to reduced performance in races and a diminished bond of trust between the horse and rider. Psychological Trauma: The pain from whipping can harm the horse’s mental state. As horses are prey animals, they evolve to flee from threats; thus, the fear and discomfort associated with whipping can make them anxious and prone to stress-related behaviors. Long-term exposure to such aversive stimuli can lead to learned helplessness, a state where an animal perceives its stressors as unavoidable, leading to detrimental impacts on performance and overall welfare 2 . Performance Outcomes: Studies have shown that whipping does not significantly enhance racing performance. For instance, a study conducted at the University of Sydney found no correlation between whip use and improved race times; in fact, races conducted without whip use demonstrated comparable if not better performance outcomes. This suggests that the reliance on whipping may not only be unnecessary but can also provoke fear in horses, diminishing their inherent competitive drive 2 . 2 Sources Regulation and Cultural Shift The conversation surrounding whipping has intensified, prompting changes in New Zealand's racing regulations. Recognizing the potential for animal welfare abuse, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has called for a reevaluation of whip policies, aiming to align with international best practices. Current Regulations: Existing rules allow restrict the number of strikes a jockey can make with the whip, and any excessive use leads to sanctions. Despite these rules, incidents of excessive whipping have been reported, highlighting the challenges in enforcement and the need for better oversight 1 . Industry Perspectives: Growing public and industry consensus suggests that the use of whips could be phased out entirely. The idea that whips are necessary for the safety and performance of horses is being increasingly questioned, as evidenced by a significant body of scientific research stating that proper technique in riding and training can effectively replace the need for whipping without compromising the horse's welfare 2 . 2 Sources Conclusion In summary, whipping has significant negative consequences for horse behavior in thoroughbred racing in New Zealand. The growing concern regarding harm to racehorses emphasizes the need for a cultural shift within the industry towards more humane practices. With continued advocacy for banning whipping and implementing alternative training methods, the thoroughbred racing community is poised to rethink its stance on the use of whips, ultimately prioritizing the welfare of the horses involved.