My Eight Strikes -The Whip Debate

Background

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) introduced new rules on whip use in both Flat and National Hunt horseracing back on the tenth of October.  7 strikes for the duration of a flat race and 8 for a jumps; stipulating a maximum of only 5 inside the final furlong or after the final obstacle for respective codes. This nearly halved the whip use allowance. The BHA also introduced stiff penalties with jockeys breaking the rules losing their riding fee and a substantial percentage of their prize-money.   

1 The Initial Perception Problem

Perception amongst the public was singled out as the main reason for the changes. Herein lies the crux of the problem for me. I don’t believe there was a problem with the perception of the sport. One could argue things have never been better in terms of decent attendances and a golden era for thoroughbreds, poor prize-money and funding aside.  It seems as if the BHA were worried about those who may never like horseracing, no matter how much educating, pleasing or pandering. You won’t change them. Some of these people would have the sport banned not to mind the whip if they had their way. I’ve heard the rugby and soccer analogy used, certain fans of one just cannot find enjoyment in the other. Sean Boyce makes my case a little more eloquently

 http://boyciesblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/nailing-the-something-had-to-be-done-myth/

Some speculate that the Grand National was the catalyst of the Horseracing authority feeling they had to react. Again I cannot understand why. Jason Maguire’s aggressive use of the air foam cushioned whip had people outraged apparently. 8 million people watched the National on the BBC, out of which 8 people complained of the whip use on the winner. More complained about Clare Balding’s poor humour post-race with 2010 winning jockey Liam Treadwell, commenting on his teeth, saying how he could now afford a new set!  The 2011 GN was a strange day, unseasonably warm, with some horses finishing very tired. A combination of connections showering their horses with buckets of water to cool them down and a stricken horse covered by the cameras for all to see left a bad taste. The whip was merely something for some to vent frustration at the race not being its usual brilliant spectacle.    

The Great Revolving Door

The past two weeks have been a hectic time for the Irish boys in the AFL but the groundwork for this transformation has been made in the pipeline for some time now. To be quite frank, the interest in the Irish "experiment" peaked in those hazy days when I was giving Ricky Nixon disguises so that we wouldn't get attacked as we walked down Tralee Main Street. To explain the transformation I think it’s important to go back to the start of this cycle.


In 1987 Jim Stynes was brought to Australia by the Melbourne Demons and their far seeing coach Ron Baresi. He appreciated that Gaelic Footballers were natural bedfellows of Aussie Rules and that certain players could prosper in the game. After his success - Stynes went on to win the Brownlow (Player of the Year Award) - there was a rush to recruit Irish players. Alas Anthony Tohill, Brian Stynes, Colin Corkery and others came and failed. Thinking the talent had dried up, AFL clubs deserted the Emerald Isle. That was until a certain Tadgh Kennelly burst onto the scene.


I don't know how it happened but the Sydney Swans took the brave decision to go against the grain and recruit an Irish player. This turned out to be one of the best decisions in the club history, as Kennellys strong run and carry propelled the Swans to the 2005 Premiership. His performances encouraged all the other clubs to dust down their passports and travel to Ireland in the hope of finding the next Kennelly much like clubs in the early nineties tried to find the next Stynes. Herein lies the crux of the problem - there is no next Stynes or Kennelly, these guys are superstars of the game and to think that every GAA player is as good as these two is unrealistic.