Campbell Favors Controls On Horse Whipping
Public Joins Discussion Concerning Excessive Whip Use
Sep 24, 2008
One of the most able drivers in harness racing history, John Campbell, sat down with racing fans at the Little Brown Jug September 18 in a question and answer forum held in the Jugette gazebo. The racing public wanted to know more about the progress to bring horse whipping in races under better control.
Using whips to drive, or ride race horses has come under fire in all realms of horse racing since the breakdown of Thoroughbred Eight Belles immediately following this season's Kentucky Derby. Riding and driving crops have always been part of horse racing history, but recent breakdowns in Thoroughbreds has brought on the desire to bring the safety of racing animals to the forefront in all competitions.
Safety First in Horse Racing
The mystifying breakdown of Eight Belles prompted many questions concerning racing safety and the health and welfare of animals that participate in the hard fought arena of horse racing. Eight Belles death was used to vilify her jockey, Gabriel Saez, who was accused of excessively whipping the filly to urge her to chase down Big Brown in the final furlongs of the Derby.
Saez, who made a statement of being "heartbroken" (U.S. Today newspaper, sports, "PETA activists want to see change after fatal trip", Tuesday, May 6, 2008) over the filly's demise, was later exonerated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority. "Kentucky stewards reviewed videotapes of the Derby and saw no evidence of a violation of any racing regulation by Mr. Gabriel Saez during the course of the race."
A pathology report also concluded no pre-existing conditions contributed to the filly's breakdown.
"Nothing is more important to the racing industry than the safety of the competitors," stated Lisa Underwood, executive director of the KHRA (Thorougbred Times Internet report "Eight Belles necropsy finds no pre-existing bone problems", Thursday, May 15, 2008)
Women's Groups Question Horse Whipping
"Women especially," Campbell said, have a low tolerance for the practice of racehorse whipping. "You'll lose the battle (if) you're vying to get more people to the track, but you are allowing excessive horse whipping."
Asked if he would support a ban on one-handed whip use, Campbell answered positively. "It's coming," he said. "I would be in favor of it."
Rules are being considered that would provide controls on how far back a whip may be drawn before coming forward to make contact with a harness horse.
Can Horse Whippng Be Banned?
Depending on the urgency of the competition and the effort of a particular horse, whips come into play frequently in attempts to alter the outcome of races, Campbell agreed. "Whips (have been) misused dramatically on a given, night-to-night basis," Campbell said.
Will the whip be banned altogether in the sport of horse racing?
"The commissions (Ontario Harness Horsemen's Association and other horse racing regulatory bodies) are going to decide it for us," Campbell commented.
