RACING fans reacted angrily to a Cheltenham Festival poster in which Rachael Blackmore’s whip has been airbrushed out.
The Jockey Club have launched a promotional campaign throughout London for the Festival, which kicks off on March 14.
The TimesRachael Blackmore was carrying a whip in her right hand after the Gold Cup[/caption]
But in posters promoting the Festival the whip was airbrushed out (credit Tony Coleman)
It features an image of Blackmore winning the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard 12 months ago.
But eagled-eyed racing fan and former journalist Tony Coleman noticed that her whip was missing from the picture.
It immediately sparked a fierce response from racing fans on social media.
One said: “You have to believe in the product you are selling. Most equine sports have a whip, if you have to hide something to entice a new audience you’re admitting that you don’t believe in the product.”
Another added: “By airbrushing the whip out it looks as if they are embarrassed to show it. Good advertisement for racing it isn’t.”
While Sun Racing’s own Matt Chapman weighed in: “Racing should be utterly embarrassed about this – and another sign the sport @BHAHorseracing @TheJockeyClub don’t believe in their own product. To airbrush a whip out is pathetic.”
By airbrushing the whip out of the image, the Jockey Club have been accused of being ‘insecure’ and ’embarrassed’.
A Jockey Club spokesperson said: “We recognise there are diverse views on the whip and have a wide range of images and content that are used to attract all sports fans.
“We’re proud of our sport and the iconic moments it creates for fans of all walks of life and remain deeply committed that racing is a sport for all.”
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
It comes at a time when the whip is provoking a passionate debate throughout the sport.
New whip rules were launched on Monday, with jockeys facing severe penalties for any future breaches.
And BHA chief Julie Harrington has been on the receiving end of some flak for her comments over the whip at a global racing conference this week in Australia.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org Read More