The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced an extension to the Rules on flexible suspensions for jockeys. The amended Rules, which come into effect for suspensions from 7th October, will allow riders to choose the date of their suspension for one day of any two-day ban incurred.
Under the previous Rules. riders were given the flexibility to choose the date of their suspension for offences incurring a one-day ban only. This has now been amended to incorporate two-day suspensions, so that the rider can choose to amend the date of either one of the two scheduled days of the suspension.
In both cases the chosen date for the flexible suspension day must be within 14 days of the suspension being incurred.
Jamie Stier, Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation for the BHA, said:
“We have worked closely with the Professional Jockeys Association on this issue,
“The purpose of expanding the flexible suspensions Rule is to benefit those riders who wish to ride in valuable races on important race days when no Group or Grade 1 race is scheduled, and therefore no change of date is currently possible.
“These races, often valuable handicaps, are important race days for many jockeys. This extension of the existing Rules now means the penalty system is both more equitable and also proportional as riders are less likely to miss important races for offences which warrant a shorter suspension.
“It is also designed to be of benefit to the connections of horses due to have a particular jockey engaged for an important race.”
