Punters demand lifetime ban for jockey as ‘reprehensible’ footage shows him smack horse in face after winning race

OUTRAGED punters person demanded an contiguous beingness prohibition and immense good for a jockey who was filmed smacking a equine successful the look aft winning a race.

America-based rider Paco Lopez caused a societal media tempest aft helium was seen striking National Law with his whip pursuing their triumph astatine Parx racecourse successful Pennsylvania.

National Law hung severely close successful the closing stages of the Flat contention but clung connected to assertion the £40,000 contention by one-and-a-half lengths.

But it was Lopez's 'cruel' actions aft the station that person sparked fury among fans.

As the horses pulled up the jockey was seen whipping his two-year-old crossed the face.

It could person been seen arsenic teaching the juvenile a acquisition for drifting crossed the track.

But that crushed is improbable to fulfill racing bosses - who person opened an probe into the incidental - oregon big-time billionaire proprietor Mike Repole.

The co-founder of Glaceau drinks wrote successful a tweet that Lopez should beryllium subjected to an contiguous prohibition and hefty good for his 'reprehensible' actions.

Repole posted: "The actions contiguous of seasoned jockey Paco Lopez were completely, wholly unacceptable, inexcusable and reprehensible.

"There is nary spot for this successful our sport. This is wherefore racing needs a nationalist governing assemblage and jurisdiction that reviews each of these important matters instantly and tin enactment connected them promptly.

"We each cognize however unsafe this athletics is for jockeys and person the utmost respect for the occupation they bash and the risks they instrumentality EVERY time connected EVERY mount, and I recognise the horse’s erratic behaviour successful the race.

"That said, I telephone connected the Stewards to instrumentality contiguous action.

"As Commissioner, I powerfully recommend, effectual immediately, a 90-day suspension and a $25,000 (£20,000) fine."

Others said lone a beingness prohibition would suffice, portion different outraged racing person wrote: "Paco Lopez needs his licence revoked.

"There is ne'er a crushed to deed a equine successful the face. Can’t ideate what the fans thought watching that."

And a chap punter said: "Paco Lopez should not beryllium capable to thrust horses immoderate longer. End of story."

Incredibly, the horse's trainer Jorge Duarte Jr came to the jockey's defence.

He said: "Jockeys are the toughest athletes.

"We person intelligence wellness progressive already anyone who saw the full agelong tally would accidental Paco was outstanding keeping the equine safe. We request to absorption connected things that matter."

Lopez was antecedently astatine the centre of an almighty tempest aft helium was punched 3 times successful the caput by legendary jock Irad Ortiz Jr.

And past October Lopez, a 39-year-old Mexican, got a 30-day prohibition for easing his equine up earlier the winning post.

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