1 February 2021
In view of the disgraceful excessive use of the whip on A Sweet Dance during yesterday’s race at Vincennes, Menhammar would like to make the following statement:
The joy of seeing a Menhammar-bred winner of a major race at Vincennes, and of the subsequent reacquisition of the horse as a broodmare, is naturally clouded by the disgraceful whipping to which driver Alexis Pratt subjected her on the home straight.
Clearly, we do not believe that such excessive whipping should occur. To invoke custom (we saw many unseemly uses of the whip at Vincennes today) or a lack of routine on the part of the driver is no defence. There are many reasons why such excessive whipping should not be allowed. While the welfare of the horse is of course the principal one, concern for the future of our sport is another important reason.
We are well aware that a similar whipping offence in Sweden would have resulted in a long suspension and heavy fine, but can only hope that the French governing body realises the seriousness of this kind of offence and imposes a severe punishment!
Menhammar, 31 January 2021
Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg and Johan Hellander
Source: Menhammar