Jockey who hit horse in face banned for six months for breaching reinstatement terms
A controversial jockey who was stood down for whipping a horse in the face last year has been given another six month ban.
Paco Lopez is one of the most prolific-winning riders in the US with more than 4,300 victories. He is the leading rider by wins in North America in 2025 with 300 successes.
In December last year we was suspended indefinitely for striking National Law across the face with his whip at the end of a race at Parx in Pennsylvania. The video provoked widespead condemnation across the sport.
At the time Lopez said on his X account: "I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS. I am aware that our sport is under a lot of scrutiny and I fully apologize to everyone involved in our sport - fans, horsemen, management, racing commissions, HISA and of course, National Law. My actions were reactionary, in the heat of the moment, and I am truly sorry.
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“I have seen the many social media postings, which have led me to reflect on the situation. I have decided to take time away from racing and, in the path of several of my fellow riders, seek appropriate counseling and work on myself.
“It cannot be overstated how much I love horses and this industry. Horseracing has been my whole life and I look forward to a return in the near future.”
Lopez was on the sidelines for 50 days before being allowed to return after agreeing to complete therapy sessions and make donations to the disabled jockey’s charity and an equine after care programme.
However, according to regulator HISA, he 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 arm above his helmet when winning the Grade 1 Forego Stakes on Book'em Danno.
Announcing a six month suspension, effective immediately, a HISA statement said: “The suspension stems from Mr. Lopez's violation of the terms of his conditional reinstatement, related to a December 4, 2024 incident involving Mr. Lopez's use of the riding crop on the Covered Horse, National Law.”
The jockey's lawyer has announced he will appeal and has requested a stay of suspension.