20 July 2023 , 14:18
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An apprentice jockey having his first ride in Ireland has provoked a social media outcry for his excessive use of whip.
Iqbal Khan made his debut in division one of the Rose Hotel Handicap at Killarney on Tuesday night.
The 7lb claimer got his mount Lucky Queen, an 18-1 chance, into a challenging position to take the lead with just under 2f to run.
But in order to maintain the momentum Khan unleashed a burst of rapid-fire whip strokes before being beaten into second place by a length and a quarter.
Khan hit his mount 13 times in total, on two occasions issuing double strikes, to the fury of many on social media.
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Drawing attention to the ride racehorse owner Eliot Bishop said: “I'm sorry to single out a jockey on their first ride seemingly but this is disgusting from Iqbal Khan.
“In what way is that acceptable, 13 whips inside 2 furlongs? All whilst not even pushing the horse. Unacceptable and deserves a long ban. Racing needs to eradicate this.”
Another post on Twitter said: “That’s disgusting to watch. He shouldn’t be riding again until he’s learnt how too.
“He’s hitting the horse in the ribs too. Needs a long and lengthy ban, give himself time to reflect and actually learn his trade.”
A racing manager said: "I’d be livid if that was my horse. I’d have taken a whip to Iqbal Khan … maybe he needs to go & have lessons during the lengthy ban he should be handed down that’s a disgrace, I’m truly sorry for the owners, terrible behaviour."
The Racing Post analysis of the race said Lucky Queen “ran on to good effect under a somewhat whip-happy ride from a pilot who did his best, to put it kindly.”
Khan was called before the stewards Khan to be grilled about his use of the whip in the closing stages of the race.
The report said: “Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted he was in breach and apologised for his actions.
“Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of R.10.3(g) (frequency) and R.10.3(i) (time to respond) and considering his record in this regard they suspended him for ten days.”