Racing was hit with a small issue on Tuesday when animal rights group Animal Aid looked to have stepped up its increasingly belligerent approach to the sport by putting anti-whip messages across the sides of 25 London buses.
The branded advertisement banner, which the BHA have not took to kindly to saying the act was a "gimmick", is the latest stand point that racing welfare group Animal Aid have had on the on going debate in the sport to do with the whip being used on the horses
There has been many discussions from leading figures in the sport, TV panelists and Punters about the effects the removal of the whip would have on the sport, with the resounding conclusion being the end of racing as we know it.
Since late July, buses in London have branded an advert with the slogan: "You wouldn't hit a dog, so why are jockeys allowed to whip race horses?", Next to these words are two images of a horse being whipped and a dog looking afraid and huddling itself into his/hers body.
The BHA defended the sports honour and the way racehorses are treated in the sport emphasising the high levels of care they are given on and off the track.
This is not the first time that the welfare group have tried to sway the publics views on racing as back in 2018 they forced a debate in the houses of parliament after getting 100,000 e-signatures on trying the implement a new independent equine welfare body.
The BHA are still confident on their stance behind the use of the whip and horse welfare and the spokesperson for the BHA has issued a a response to Animal Aid's banners.
(Credit Racing Post) He said: "Campaign groups use advertising gimmicks such as this regularly to try and get their viewpoint across, but it's important to remember the considerable amount of positive mainstream coverage that racing receives, both via media and broadcasters and from Westminster.
"Everyone in the sport is aware of the exceptionally high standards of care that racehorses receive, and we need to work together to show that to the public and to challenge those with opposing viewpoints when they speak out."
The adverts will run until Sunday, August 11th after the Transport for London, who are the governing body who allowed the advert to be put across the 25 buses in the capital city.