GENERAL NOTICE TO ALL RIDERS
USE OF THE CROP
Please be advised of the following amendments to APPENDIX E of the Rules of the NHA on the USE OF THE CROP, which will be effective from 1 April 2026.
Extract of Appendix E with amendments highlighted in red:
- The crop SHALL not be used in front of the saddle except when both hands are on the reins when using the crop down the shoulder in the backhand position which whilst discretionary should not be consecutive. (These strikes WILL NOT count towards the provisions of Guideline M).
- Using the crop in the backhand position for a reminder. Notwithstanding the allowance afforded in respect of using the crop in front of the saddle as per guideline 3, deviating herefrom shall only be permissible for safety reasons and/or where the crop hand is in restricted racing-room. (These strikes WILL count towards the provisions of Guideline M).
The following are examples of crop use which may be regarded as unnecessary and/or excessive in terms of RULE 58.10.2:
- c) Hitting a HORSE more than twice three times on consecutive strides.
- l) Hitting a HORSE on the flank or stomach.
Finally, please note that new crop penalty document is no longer a guideline and a discretionary document, but a Rule, and shall be enforced as such.
Kindly apprise yourselves with the documents attached (the new Appendix E and the Crop Penalty Document which set out the newly adopted changes.
Michael Shackleton LLB, LLM 27 February 2026
Legal Executive
NEW CROP PENALTY DOCUMENT
Effective 1 April 2026
(10 Strikes Permitted – Penalties Commence at 11 Strikes)
|
Number of Strikes |
Sanction |
Additional Sanctions |
Offer to be made to jockey |
|
10 strikes |
No penalty (permitted limit) |
— |
|
|
11 strikes |
20% of rider’s net stake subject to a minimum R2,000 fine |
— |
|
|
12 strikes |
30% of rider’s net stake subject to a minimum R2,000 fine |
— |
|
|
13 strikes |
40% of rider’s net stake subject to a minimum R4,000 fine |
— |
|
|
14 strikes |
50% of rider’s net stake subject to a minimum R8,000 fine |
+ 7 days suspension |
If the jockey pays 100% of their net stake as a penalty there shall be no suspension. |
|
15 strikes |
75% of rider’s net share subject to a minimum R10,000 fine |
+ 7 days suspension |
If the jockey pays 100% of their net stake as a penalty there shall be no suspension. |
|
16 strikes |
100% of rider’s net stake share subject to a minimum R12,000 fine |
+ 14 days suspension |
|
|
17+ strikes |
100% of rider’s net stake share |
+ 14 days suspension (plus discretionary penalties as per below) |
|
NOTES:
- Rider’s net stake share is deemed to be 10% of the gross stake for the winner and 7% for placed horses as per the relevant horse’s finishing position.
- A 10% rebate on the applicable fine applies where a rider signs an Acknowledgement of Guilt (AOG).
- An additional 10% fine applies to all Grade 1 race offences.
- In respect of strikes 11, 12 and 13 only, which do not incur an automatic suspension, an additional 10% fine will apply where a rider has more than three offences in a particular season and which will increase incrementally by 10% from offence 4 to offence 7, i.e. offence 4 will incur an additional 10% fine, offence 5 - 10% + 10%, etc. Offence 8 will incur an automatic 7-day suspension with no fine, offence 9 - a 14-day suspension with no fine, and thereafter offence 10 and above will be referred to the designated crop panel for consideration of penalty.
- An additional 7-day suspension applies where a rider has more than three Graded race offences in a particular season.
- A designated crop panel retains a discretion to impose additional penalties over and above the stipulated penalty where a rider incurs 17 strikes or more.
- A designated crop panel retains a discretion in the implementation of penalties where the crop infraction is not specifically catered for in terms of these guidelines.
- Penalties shall always be rounded to the nearest R100.