HISA Suspends Jockey Paco Lopez For Six Months Following Dec. 2024 Crop Incident

[Wandering Eyes]

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced Tuesday that jockey Paco Lopez has been suspended for six months, effective September 23, 2025. The suspension stems from Mr. Lopez's violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement, related to a December 4, 2024 incident involving Mr. Lopez's use of the riding crop on the National Law (Constitution).

“HISA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity in horse racing. We take any behavior that undermines the trust of participants and fans with the utmost seriousness, HISA said in its press release. “By enforcing rules consistently, we aim to promote fairness in the adjudication process, protect both horses and riders and preserve confidence in the integrity of the sport.”

In its release HISA did not say what exactly Lopez had done to violate his conditional reinstatement.

In a press release issued Tuesday shortly before the HISA release came out, PETA called for action against Lopez for violating whip rules aboard Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Forego Stakes.

This story will be updated.

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