After Frankie Dettori’s insane 16-day whip ban the BHA should admit they have got new rules wrong

EIGHT years of bans have been handed out to jockeys since March and public perception is worse than ever.

But our leaders continue to plough on with their new whip penalties.

News Group Newspapers Ltd.Our man Chappers has his say on Frankie Dettori’s whip ban[/caption]

Indeed, after high-profile suspensions for Jim Crowley and Frankie Dettori for rides which most considered artistic brilliance, it’s easy to argue the BHA has single-handedly created exactly the image and negativity it was supposedly trying to prevent.

You will remember Crowley was given a crazy 20-day ban and £10,000 fine for his effort on Hukum for Owen Burrows in the King George at Ascot in July.

Most observers felt Crowley’s efforts were superb, and the battle between Hukum and Westover was for many the race of the season.

It’s important to remember Crowley has been a champion jockey. There are few horsemen or woman better and with more knowledge of what gets the best out of a racehorse.

That, of course, is the same for Dettori. The Italian gave Trawlerman an absolute peach to deny Kyprios in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day.

But he used his whip on seven occasions instead of six.

He did the same during the defeat of Kinross in the Champions Sprint. Those two extra strikes meant he was handed a suspension totally a whopping 16 days. Like OMG.

I’d love to have a TV interview with those in charge at the BHA and go back right to the beginning of the whip objectives and ask them all the questions you and I want answered.

But as you know by now the BHA refuse to allow that to happen. They continue to only converse with their chosen few, so it’s just impossible to get any answers.

To have such closed shop leadership is extraordinary and I can only apologise to you that the sport is run in that way.

Essentially, however, what we do know is the vast majority of viewers had no issue with Crowley or Dettori at Ascot, and as such the only people who have brought the whip to the attention of the public is the BHA.

To most that would seem a crazy thing to do. Not our ruling body!

So the current status quo is that we have a whip which is no welfare issue with rules that are causing a massive perception issue. The irony is there for all to see.

The BHA historically never admit it’s wrong. I hope the leadership is now strong enough to do so.

Cheltenham is back on ITV today. Now that’s something to get a bit gooey about.

To see class staying hurdler Flooring Porter over fences in a novice chase . . . that will be exciting.

However, as most of you will know by now the Breeders’ Cup gets me going like few other fixtures and I’ll be flying off to California tomorrow before heading to Santa Anita Monday.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Santa Anita is the most beautiful track on the planet and when you are there, the Breeders’ Cup does feel like it is everything.

In next week’s column I’ll go through in detail who I think will take centre stage, and check out my social media feeds (@mcyeeehaaa) in the week as there will be loads of videos uploaded, but for now get ready for an absolute belter of a Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Derby hero Auguste Rodin heads the contenders, and it’s so special to have an Epsom star heading Stateside, while it’s now a 90% chance the horse he defeated for his Classic success King Of Steel could be up for another rematch.

Then there is Juddmonte International Stakes hero Mostahdaf, who missed the Champion Stakes King Of Steel landed, as well as Arc third Onesto who bounced back to his best behind Ace Impact at Longchamp.

The Europeans will have US star Up To The Mark waiting for them, and there is an air of mystery over his claims as he steps up from a mile over which he defeated Godolphin’s Master Of The Seas at Keeneland last time.

The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf also appears a corker, and John & Thady Gosden will allow Inspiral the chance to stretch out over a mile and a quarter for the first time.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned star will have to get home with a bit left as she faces O’Brien’s much improved Vermeille heroine Warm Heart — and that’s something racing can do for all of us at this time of year.

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