WHAT?

[Flighted Iron]

Cirrus des Aigles caught So You Think in the final 50 yards of Saturday's Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in England, but the race was marred by a suspension and massive fine given to winning jockey Christophe Soumillon for excessive use of the whip.

British racing officials implemented new whip rules on Oct. 10, limiting a flat jockey to seven strikes with the whip, and no more than five in the final furlong. In addition, the minimum suspension was increased to five days, with financial penalties also put in place.

Soumillon was cited for striking Cirrus des Aigles six times in the final furlong of the Champion Stakes, which was worth approximately $2,028,000. Speaking to British television, the France-based jockey said, \"I'm very, very, very embarrassed for British racing. The people and the fans have been let down.\"

Soumillon was fined approximately $79,800, his share of the prize money, and was suspended for five days

drf.com

I don\'t imagine the owners were let down.5 whips is perfectly sporting,but god forbid a rider goes wild and hits the horse an outrageous 6 times and he(or she)is
criminalized.Its not WHAT,but what a flippin joke!