Fans call for ‘lifetime ban’ for jockey seen hitting two-year-old horse in the FACE after winning race

Fans have called for a jockey to be handed a ‘lifetime ban’ after he was caught brutally hitting a horse in the face.

After his victory at Parx racecourse in Pennsylvania, America-based rider Paco Lopez was bizarrely seen striking National Law across the neck with his whip.

The two-year-old horse had drifted all the way to the outside rail in the latter stages of the race but, despite this, managed to maintain their lead and eventually win the event. 

That didn’t prevent Lopez from lashing out, which drew immediate criticism from fans online and other prominent names involved at the event. 

Billionaire racing boss Mike Repole took to X shortly afterwards to suggest that Lopez should be handed a £20,000 fine.

Repole posted: ‘The actions today of veteran jockey Paco Lopez were completely, totally unacceptable, inexcusable and reprehensible.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT 

At Parx racecourse in Pennsylvania, Paco Lopez was seen striking National Law

According to HISA’s rulings portal, Lopez has had 10 previous HISA whip violations

‘There is no place for this in our sport. This is why racing needs a national governing body and jurisdiction that reviews all of these important matters immediately and can act on them promptly.

‘We all know how dangerous this sport is for jockeys and have the utmost respect for the job they do and the risks they take EVERY day on EVERY mount, and I recognise the horse’s erratic behavior in the race.

‘That said, I call on the Stewards to take immediate action. As Commissioner, I strongly recommend, effective immediately, a 90-day suspension and a $25,000 (£20,000) fine.’ 

Lopez has had 10 previous HISA whip violations for excessive use of the whip, according to HISA’s rulings portal (six strikes are permitted during a race). 

Parx Racing track announcer Jessica Paquette said: ‘It’s never okay to react out of frustration towards a horse,’ she wrote on Twitter. 

‘It doesn’t serve any productive purpose from a training or safety perspective. More now than ever, we have to be better.’

Meanwhile, one fan wrote: ‘Paco Lopez. Completely unacceptable. Shouldn’t be around horses, period’.  

Another wrote: ‘That’s animal abuse plain and simple. He just hit the horse out of anger. I hope decent horse owners take note and refuse to give him mounts. 

Lopez – pictured alongside wife Elizabeth Lynn Lopez – is a Mexican-born American jockey

Lopez (middle) began his horse racing career in Mexico, riding on bush tracks

‘He should be suspended but let’s not leave it up to the track officials let’s get an owners ban going against Paco’. 

Meanwhile, trainer Jorge Duarte, Jr. came to Lopez’s defense on X. he wrote: ‘Jockeys are the toughest athletes. 

‘We have mental health involved already anyone who saw the whole stretch run would say Paco was outstanding keeping the horse safe. We need to focus on things that matter.’