Rachel Venniker after a fantastic ride in Saudi Arabia, but bad news was to follow because she broke a local rule during the race (sahorseracing.com)
Rachel Venniker had the sweet taste of big money overseas success in Saudi Arabia, but it was followed by a taste of just how harsh overseas stipendiary stewarding can be.
In South Africa the whip rule is more lenient than in Saudi Arabia and the punishment meted out is also more lenient.
The whip rule in South Africa allows a jockey to hit a horse a maximum of 12 times in an entire race.
The rule in Saudi Arabia limits it to 8.
Venniker finished the race in the typical style of a South African jockey by showing the horse the whip and giving him time to respond to it and then whipping him in rhythm with the stride and using the whip close to his side.
It was a copybook finish by South African standards.
However, she appeared to hit the horse eleven times, which is three more times than the limit over there. .
The punishment for whip misuse in South Africa has been deemed to be harsh.
Recently Corne Orffer was fined R20,475 and suspended for 21 days for using the whip 17 times in a Gr 3 race.
Jason Gates was fined R5,750 and suspended for 14 days for using the whip 13 times in a Listed race.
However, Venniker was fined 60% of the total prize money she earned for the win in Saudi Arabia and was also suspended for a period of eight calendar days.
As the race carried a stake of $US400,000 her mistake was costly to say the least.