Whip offences are set to come under the microscope in 2019 with the British Horseracing Authority planning to start a review process in January.
The ruling body issued its safety evaluation of this year's Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday and after outlining 17 recommendations as part of that report, the BHA is now ready to examine the issue of penalties for misusing the whip.
A statement read: "The BHA stated in March that we would be looking at penalties for whip offences to ensure they present a sufficient deterrent, especially in higher profile races.
"We have been continuing to monitor data in 2018, and now that the Cheltenham review has been published we are in a position to consider how to progress this issue.
"This process will start in January, when we will begin putting timelines in place and properly scoping out the project.
"Before any final decisions are made, a full and proper process will be followed which will include gathering the views of participants.
"As we said this week, a new welfare board will be working with the BHA on a industry welfare strategy in 2019. That board, when formed, will no doubt consider all aspects of welfare, which may include the use of the whip in British racing - but no decisions have yet been made."
