THE WHIP ISSUE: THE AJA RESPONDS

19 November 2015

“New Whip Rules”
RESPONSE BY THE AUSTRALIAN JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION
TO THE MEDIA RELEASE ISSUED BY JOHN MESSARA
AND HIS LETTER TO ALL JOCKEYS

The following communication has been issued today to all jockeys in Australia by the Chairman of the Australian Jockey’s Association

Dear AJA Member

I refer to the text/email you may have received today from John Messara, Chairman of Racing Australia, and would make these points in response.

Regarding Racing Australia’s proposal for a rule change:

Racing Australia can say it consulted with the AJA as outlined in its letter, but the outcome of any consultation that has taken place with the AJA  would indicate it took no notice of any part of our submissions and that they had already formed a view.

2. Racing Australia does not state it consulted with trainers, owners or breeders associations on the issue. Why? Because it simply did not consult at all with these groups.

3. Racing Australia says it is modernizing the rules to reflect society’s expectations. Still they have not actually explained which parts of “society” they are referring to. Clearly not the part of society involving its jockeys, trainers, and many owners, breeders and punters.

4. Racing Australia appears to the AJA to have adopted a position of being supportive of RULE AMENDMENTS irrespective of any consultation with the AJA. This concern is shared by other stakeholders. Our subsequent submissions and approaches have been rejected.

Regards

Ross Inglis, Chairman
Australian Jockeys Association

Media contacts:
Ross InglisChairman 0417 573 347
Paul Innes Chief Executive 0412 707 674
Des O’Keeffe General Manager 0412 554 155

1 Response to THE WHIP ISSUE: THE AJA RESPONDS

greg493 (@Greg493) says:

November 20, 2015 at 12:24 am

The AJA dont get it. Just because they have put in a submission defending the whip and it must be remembered they would make no changes if left up to them, does not mean that there should be any changes, they are wrong and this industry gets a great deal of public money and funding so needs to change. Whipping horses will eventually be banned, the general public dont like it and govts listen to them.