CHESHIRE trainer Donald McCain and footballer Michael Owen have hit out at the ‘damage’ they say outspoken pundit John McCririck is causing to the sport of horse racing.
Last week McCririck publicly called for the use of whips by jockeys to be banned, describing it as ‘barbaric’ and claiming it ‘degrades’ the sport.
However Cholmondeley-based trainer Donald McCain, who won this year’s Grand National with Ballabriggs, hit back through social networking site Twitter.
He tweeted: “Time for attheraces and all who employ McCririck to take a long hard look at the damage a man they employ is doing to our sport!!”
Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who co-owns Manor House stables in Malpas with Betfair founder Andrew Black, was also unhappy.
He posted: “Why do @SkySportsNews give air time to people with no idea? Ask the professionals. John McCririck does more damage to the sport than good.”
Earlier this month new regulations on the use of the whip were introduced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), although restrictions on the number of strikes in the final furlong of a flat race have since been lifted.
The new rules mean a jockey in a flat race is permitted to use his whip only seven times, while eight strikes are allowed in a jump race.
Jockeys who exceed the limit by one strike will be suspended and those who break the limit by more than one will forfeit any share of prize money.
