American jockey Paco Lopez has been handed a six-month suspension by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement following a previous ban for whipping a horse in the face.
Lopez, who leads North American riders in wins in 2025 with 300 victories, was indefinitely suspended last December after striking National Law across the face with his whip at Parx in Pennsylvania. The incident sparked widespread condemnation. After completing therapy and making donations, he was reinstated after 50 days.
However, HISA says Lopez has committed ten further whip violations since January, including at Saratoga in August when he was fined $1,000 and banned for three days for raising his whip above his helmet while winning the Grade 1 Forego Stakes on Book'em Danno.
The latest suspension stems from a violation of the reinstatement terms related to the December 2024 incident. Lopez's solicitor has announced an appeal and requested a stay of suspension.
