Jockey Paco Lopez, who was suspended for a postrace riding crop infraction in December, will be reinstated on a conditional basis effective Jan. 23. Lopez has met all conditions required for reinstatement, including participating in therapy sessions and making donations to charity. The incident occurred at Parx Racing when Lopez struck his mount in the face or neck area after the race.
Lopez violated HISA crop rules by striking his mount after a race at Parx, leading to widespread criticism on social media. HISA rules prevent cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, or abuse toward horses and require that crops should only be used on the shoulders or hindquarters. Lopez apologized for his actions, which he described as “reactionary, in the heat of the moment.”
Despite his suspension, Lopez finished with 269 victories last year and ranked fifth by victories among North American jockeys. He has a history of being sanctioned for various infractions, including exceeding the six-strike limit for jockeys and causing spills resulting in injuries. HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus stated that Lopez has shown a commitment to conducting himself professionally and responsibly around horses.
