Minimum penalties for jockeys are to be lowered from the start of the Flat turf season on Thursday as part of a package of rule changes announced by the Jockey Club today.
The move was prompted by a seminar attended by Europe's major racing authorities last September where it became apparent that jockeys riding in Britain are given slightly tougher penalties at the lower end of the scale.
Stewards will now be allowed to give cautions and one-day suspensions in line with Ireland and mainland Europe.
The Jockey Club has also moved to allow jockeys suspended for two days or fewer to ride in Group One races, or their equivalent, abroad.
Last year Ray Cochrane missed the ride on Travelmate in the Melbourne Cup having picked up a two-day ban at Doncaster and the decision is a response to that.
From Thursday a rider can apply to the Jockey Club to have his period of suspension altered if such a situation arises again.
Jockeys who pick up similar bans are already allowed to ride in Group One races in Britain.
An amendment to the rule dealing with misconduct by jockeys at the start will also be introduced in the near future.
The "Yellow Card" rule will allow the starter to issue the offending rider with a written warning if his behaviour does not warrant a report to the racecourse stewards.
Such misconduct includes a rider allowing his horse to touch the starting tape, his horse's head to be on or over the tape, or to take up position before being instructed to do so.
In the event of future misconduct the rider would be reported to the racecourse stewards, with the formal warning removed after one year.
The Jockey Club also announced that jockeys found guilty of intentional interference or reckless riding will from April 1 forfeit their riding fee.
And marker poles, which were introduced on the all-weather four years ago to ensure that jockeys ride to the draw, are to be phased in on turf.
The instruction will come into force following the final Flat jockeys' seminar on May 16 and marker poles will initially be introduced on straight courses only.
Commenting on the changes, Jockey Club director of regulation Malcolm Wallace said: "The rules of racing and the levels of penalties issued for breaches of the rules are continually under review.
"Changes are brought about by incidents on the racecourse and from experience gained from either visiting or liaising with overseas turf authorities."
