National HBPA Statement on Kentucky Derby-Winning Jockey Fine and Suspension

The National HBPA has issued the following statement regarding the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs:

The National HBPA has consistently maintained that racing rules should be grounded in common sense, supported by veterinary science, and shaped by the practical realities of the sport—with meaningful input from those who live and work within the industry every day.

The recent incident involving the 2025 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey appears to bypass all of those principles.

Jockeys are highly trained professionals, and imposing an arbitrary limit on crop use—without context or flexibility—not only ignores the realities of horsemanship, the integrity of the race but may also compromise the safety of both rider and horse.