by Pete Denk

The four major United States Thoroughbred auction companies have agreed to ban front toe grabs and limit whip usage at two-year-old sales.

Barretts Equine Ltd., Fasig-Tipton Co., Keeneland, and the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. issued a joint press release on Tuesday stating that beginning in 2009, the use of whips by riders will be “strictly regulated,” at the under-tack shows, with stiff penalties and suspensions being contemplated for riders who do not follow the sales companies’ regulations.

The specific whip regulations still are being developed. The four companies also will prohibit the use of front toe grabs at training sales, a ban which is in line with recommendations from The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee now being widely adopted by the racing industry.

The first sale to operate with the new regulations will be the 2009 OBSC February sale of selected two-year-olds in training. Mike O’Farrell, chairman of OBSC, said a consensus was reached quickly between all four sales companies and the two-year-old consignors.

“The focus on safety and soundness issues within our industry brought us together, and we forged a united front to introduce important changes in the way under-tack shows are conducted,” O’Farrell said. “The changes we have enacted can only enhance for buyers the reputation and image of the two-year-olds-in-training sales program.”

Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times