Elione Chaves, a visiting jockey from Sweden where whip use is forbidden, has been handed a 22-day suspension for breaching whip rules in Britain. The Brazilian-born rider, one of Scandinavia's most successful, was referred to the BHA's Whip Review Committee after the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood.
Incident and penalty
Chaves rode Swedish-trained Lamborghini, a multiple Listed winner, in the five-furlong sprint. The five-year-old finished sixth, less than three lengths behind winner American Affair. However, Chaves was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six in the closing stages.
The committee's report stated: “Elione Chaves, the rider of LAMBORGHINI BF (IRE), placed sixth, was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six, down the shoulder in the forehand position with his hand off the reins and without giving his mount time to respond from half a furlong out.”
Because the race was Class 1, the penalty was doubled. Chaves will be suspended from Tuesday 18 August 2026 to Tuesday 08 September 2026, inclusive.
Swedish whip rules
Use of the whip for encouragement has been forbidden in Sweden since 2022. Svensk Galopp's rules allow riders to carry a whip but only for safety. At the time of the change, Helena Gärtner, project manager in the Scandinavian Racing Regulations Committee, said: “Whip use in horse racing simply does not belong in 2022.”
The rule has since been adopted in Denmark and Norway. Chaves has more than 1,700 career wins, over 1,000 of which were registered in Sweden, and has won several championships in the region.
