The Jockey Club is using their voice to lobby against whipping in horse racing, and fans are thrilled.

Animal welfare organizations are applauding The Jockey Club (TJC) for speaking out against the use of whipping using hand whips in horse racing, and encouraging new penalty guidelines for breaching the rules. According to Stuart Janney, chairman of TJC, recent consumer research revealed that stricter penalties for the use of riding crops received noteworthy support from fans. Unless changes are made, advocacy groups and individuals may attempt to eliminate the sport of horse racing altogether.

“The world of horse racing must change, and eliminating whipping is one important reform the industry must take to put the welfare of horses at the center of the enterprise,” said Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action, one of the groups applauding the change. “The use of a whip to force horses to run faster is archaic and should be eliminated on a global scale.”